Danville Plumber - Carbon Monoxide - Guaranteed Plumbing Danville, CA

Carbon Monoxide

Where does carbon monoxide come from?

Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas that you cannot smell or see. It is produced as a common by-product of the combustion (burning) of fossil fuels. Most fuel burning equipment (natural gas, gasoline, propane, fuel oil, and wood), if properly installed and maintained, produces little carbon monoxide. The by-products of combustion are usually safely vented to the outside. However, if there is a shortage of oxygen to the burner, or the venting is not adequate, carbon monoxide production can increase to dangerous levels. Common sources of carbon monoxide include gasoline engines running in closed garages, fuel-burning space heaters or water heaters with improper venting, and blocked chimneys or vent pipes.

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

If you breathe in carbon monoxide, it enters your bloodstream and robs oxygen from blood cells. This is called carbon monoxide poisoning.
Physical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning vary, depending on the amount in the bloodstream. The higher the concentration, the higher the danger.

• Low levels of carbon monoxide exposure can cause shortness of breath, mild nausea, fatigue, and mild headaches.
• Moderate levels can cause headaches, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, dizziness, or light-headedness.
• Severe cases of carbon monoxide poisoning can result in unconsciousness and death.

Since many of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to those of the flu, food poisoning or other illnesses, you may not think carbon monoxide poisoning could be the cause.
If you or someone in your home has these symptoms, or if you have any doubts, get out of the house right away. Call 911, your local fire department, or local emergency medical service from a nearby phone.

How can you prevent carbon monoxide poisoning?

Follow these four safety tips:

• Have a qualified professional routinely maintain and inspect all heating systems and any fuel-burning appliances annually to ensure they are in good working condition.
• Have a qualified professional routinely inspect appliance vents and chimney flues annually for blockages, corrosion, cracks or leakage.
• Never run a vehicle or use unvented fuel-burning equipment in an enclosed space.
• Consider installing and maintaining a UL approved carbon monoxide detector and alarm following the manufacturers instructions. These devices measure the amount of carbon monoxide in the air and sound an alarm at certain levels. They should be considered as a backup and not as a replacement for proper use and maintenance of your fuel-burning appliances. Preventing carbon monoxide from becoming a problem in your home is better than relying on an alarm.

What do you do if you suspect carbon monoxide?

• If it is safe to do so, immediately turn off and stop using the suspected gas appliance, and open the windows to ventilate the area. Do not use the suspected gas appliance until it has been determined to be safe.
• Get out of the building and make sure that no one goes back into the building until you are assured that it is safe.
• Call 9-1-1 and seek medical attention if anyone experiences possible carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms.
• Contact PG&E or a qualified professional to have the appliance inspected.

Source: www.pge.com/myhome/edusafety

Alamo Plumber - Water Shut Off - Guaranteed Plumbing Danville, CA

water shut-off

Locate the main water service pipe into your house (probably in the front at the basement level). You will see a gate valve on the pipe. If you know you have leaks after an earthquake, you can shut off all water in your house with this valve. You may wish to paint the valve so it is easy to find in an emergency. You can shut off all water to your property by finding the water meter box (usually at the street or sidewalk). Open the cover with a long screwdriver or specialty tool. If this box is inaccessible or you cannot find it, call your local water department. Be sure to identify this box and the water valve inside before the need to use them arises. Inside the water meter box you will see a valve that is similar to the valve on your gas meter. Turn it just the same as your gas valve. Note: All responsible family members should be shown how to turn off utilities in case of emergency. They need to know what the utilities look like in both on and off positions.

  

Source www.friendlyplumber.com

 

 

 

Walnut Creek Plumber - How to Shut off Utilities - Guaranteed Plumbing Danville, CA

 

There is no cost involved in teaching everyone in your home about how & when to turn off the gas, electricity, and water after an earthquake. This can be as simple as clearly marking where the shut-off valves are, and posting instructions close by. Below are some common examples of shut-off valves. Even if you have something different, like a propane tank, the shut-off will be similar. If you cannot find the shut-off valves, or you do not understand the valve system, call your local utility company or tank provider. Remember, consider shutting off utilities if you can smell gas, smell or see fire, or see damage to, from, or near the utility lines. It is wise to shut off utilities if you are going to leave the home for extended periods of time. This is because of the probability of aftershock.

before an earthquake

TEST YOUR GAS VALVE: Locate and identify your gas meter and main shut-off valve with those persons you believe could and should know how to shut off your gas if necessary. Identify the master shut-off valve. Paint the valve bright red. Note: Caution, there may be more than one shut-off on your meter. Use the illustrations of gas meter (pg. 18) and main shut-off valves (above) to help you identify yours. Using a 12" adjustable, or other appropriate wrench, turn the main valve 1/8 of a turn only to the right or left. (This movement may be difficult at first) CAUTION: Be careful, do not to turn any valve MORE than 1/8 turn to the right or left when testing. (If you do, pilot lights will very likely go out and it will require a trained person to relight them.) After you have moved that valve to ensure that it works, KEEP THE WRENCH AT THE METER, use plastic "zip ties" or straps to secure it to your meter. If you use an adjustable wrench be sure to store it pre-fit to your valve. That way in case it rusts or corrodes it will still fit. Heavy oil or grease applied to the moving parts of the wrench, before you secure it, will help keep it functional and ready for use. Do not buy any plastic or fiberglass gas wrenches. They become brittle with time. If the main valve will not turn 1/8 turn, then call the Gas Company immediately to have it fixed or replaced. gas shut off Locate main gas shut-off (usually outside house) at the gas meter. The valve is usually on a pipe coming out of the ground, going into the gas meter. Turn the valve crosswise to the pipe (see the large example on the "Utilities" page under "Before the Earthquake". All the pilot lights in and around your home (stove, furnace, clothes dryer, swimming pool/ spa heater, water heater, etc.) will go out when you turn the valve off. You will need to have the gas company, or another qualified individual (plumber, contractor, or trained homeowner), relight every pilot when turning the gas back on. Forgetting to relight all the pilot lights could result in a dangerous gas buildup in your home. Remember, if you don't smell gas or have severe damage to your home you should not have to shut the gas off. It's your decision. Clear the area around the main gas shut-off valve for quick and easy access in case of emergency. A wrench (or specialty tool), for turning off the gas, should be attached to a pipe next to the shut-off valve or in another easily accessible location. You may want to paint the shut-off valve with white or fluorescent paint so that it can be located easily in an emergency. If you are concerned about your ability to turn off the main gas shut-off valve or are unsure if it is in proper working order (indication of rust, etc.) or do not know how to relight your pilot lights, contact your local gas company. They can send a service representative to your house to show you the proper procedure and check the valve and pilot lights to be sure they operate properly.    source www.friendlyplumber.com

Orinda Plumber - Cleaning Fiberglass sinks & tubs - Guaranteed Plumbing Danville, CA

Use non-abrasive cleaners such as:

-hand dishwashing liquids or liquid laundry detergents

-household all-purpose cleaners or bathroom cleaners (i.e. "409", "Dow Bathroom Cleaner", etc.)

-mild to moderate alkali solutions (i.e. baking soda in warm water, trisodium phosphate in warm water

-(1 tablespoon per gallon, "Spic & Span" solution which contains trisodium phosphate, etc.)

-baking soda moistened with water to a paste; wet surface of tub or stall; gently rub with the paste on a sponge, or soft nylon brush.

Apply all cleaners with a sponge or non-abrasive applicator made of nylon, polyester, or polyethylene. Rub gently.

Always rinse thoroughly to remove all cleaner.

Never use any abrasive cleaner like common scouring powders, nor any abrasive scouring pads, steel wool, and paper, or scrapers.

This article was written by Anne Field, Extension Specialist, Emeritus, with references from Wisconsin Extension bulletin Maintaining Your Home - Care of Bathtub Enclosures.

source: www.friendlyplumber.com

 

Danville Plumber - Lessons Learned: Toilets and Water Efficiency - Guaranteed Plumbing Danville

Lessons Learned: Toilets and Water Efficiency

How did the legislation get ahead of the technology? In the late 1980s, several state governments began restricting residential toilets to 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf), down from 3.5 gpf, in spite of testimony and public outreach by Plumbing Manufacturers International that Americans would experience a flushing performance they might find unacceptable.
The U.S. Energy Policy Act of 1992 made those "low-flow" toilets a requirement for new homes and home remodels nationally by 1994, based in part on the water-savings realized in countries that used such toilets.
But American consumers had different plumbing systems, preferences and expectations for their toilets than consumers in other parts of the world; hence, the industry's expressed concerns. Indeed, there were problems with some toilets sold in the early-to-mid-1990s. Consumers complained about having to flush twice to clean the bowl, bringing water usage back up to 3.2 gpf; clogs created messes, as well as waste; and small water spots that made it harder to keep the toilet bowl clean and sanitary.
The objective of the U.S. Energy Policy Act of 1992 was water conservation, but the objective of plumbing manufacturers was water efficiency. Fortunately, it didn't take long for the technology to catch up, and by May of 1998 a well-known consumer ratings publication found "several affordable low-flow toilets that work very well."
High-performance flushers hit the market earlier in this millennium. Using advanced hydraulic modeling techniques, engineers literally changed the way water moves through the channels of the toilet to eliminate waste. Newer finishes fired into the chinaware give more power to less water, actually improving bowl-cleansing ability over the old 3.5 gpf gushers.
Plumbing manufacturers were soon able to introduce models that used even less water, yet achieved the same satisfactory performance at a fair price for American consumers. High-efficiency toilets lower utility bills, reduce the strain on septic systems, and carry special rebates in many drought-prone areas. The use of these low-flush-volume products can delay or even eliminate the need for developing new or expanded municipal water systems and wastewater-treatment facilities, saving consumers and taxpayers millions of dollars.
Utilities nationwide have invested hundreds of millions of ratepayer dollars in water conservation programs that rely on water-efficient plumbing products. Follow-up surveys demonstrate customer satisfaction to be generally high. These efforts could not continue if modern plumbing products failed to save water or triggered significant customer complaints.

source: safeplumbing.org

 

Walnut Creek Plumber - Water Conservation or Water Efficiency - Guaranteed Plumbing - Danville

Water Conservation or Water Efficiency?

Water conservation is difficult without water efficiency. You might say that conservation without efficiency is mere deprivation, which does not meet the definition of sustainability.

Efficiency means using resources responsibly, planning for usage, and pioneering scientific advances that make it easier for American consumers to select more sustainable products. Otherwise, they won't buy them or buy into conservation.

Bad experiences with so-called conservation products have soured many consumers, making it harder to break through to a skeptical public about the real benefits of using less water. Everyone connected with the plumbing industry - from manufacturer to plumber - was negatively impacted when legislation mandating low-flow toilets in the early 1990s got a few years ahead of the technology. Manufacturers have long-since solved those problems, but the American consumer still remembers.

source: www.safeplumbing.org

 

Orinda Plumber - History of Lead Pipes - Guaranteed Plumbing Danville, CA

Why is lead in pipes at all? The answer goes back literally thousands of years to the first plumbing systems, which are names for the word “lead” in Latin, plumbum. Lead piping was used because of its unique ability to resist pinhole leaks, while being soft enough to form into shapes that deliver water most efficiently. Lead was used in many other common products as well until scientific advancements in the 20th century demonstrated the element’s toxicity. The plumbing industry voluntarily took significant steps to reduce lead exposure.

• Lead is a common element found in the Earth’s crust.
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that lead is the fifth most important metal in the U.S. economy in terms of consumption.
• Approximately 85 percent of the primary lead is produced domestically.
• Lead is mined and/or smelted in the following states: Missouri, Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Montana and Texas.
  

Source: safeplumbing.org

Alamo Plumber - Turning Your Gas Off - Guaranteed Plumbing Danville, Ca

Turning Your Gas Off

How to Locate Your Main Gas Service Shutoff Valve

Knowing the location of your main gas service shutoff valve will help you turn off the gas supply to your entire facility quickly in case of an emergency.
The location of the valve can vary depending on the type of building and when it was installed:

• The gas meter and gas service shutoff valve is usually located on the side or in front of the building. If the building has a breezeway, it could be located there.

Gas Shutoff Valve

• In some cases, the gas meter can be located in a cabinet enclosure built into the building or located inside the building. In these cases, the gas service shutoff valve can be located outside on a section of gas service pipe next to the building, or near the gas meter.

Cabinet Meter

Cabinet Meter Outside

• If there are multiple meters serving gas to multiple units within a building, there are individual gas service shutoff valves for each unit near each of the gas meters, including a master valve for the entire building where the gas pipe comes out of the ground. Your facilities personnel or your property manager (if you are leasing) might be able to help you locate your unit’s valve location.

Multiple Meters

If you still are not able to locate the gas service shutoff valve, contact PG&E for assistance to locate the valve.

When to Turn Off Your Gas

Do not shut off the gas unless you smell gas, hear gas escaping, see a broken gas line or if you suspect a gas leak. If you shut off the gas, there may be a considerable delay before PG&E can turn your service on. Once the gas is shut off at the meter, do not try to turn it back on yourself. If the gas service shutoff valve is closed, PG&E or another qualified professional should perform a safety inspection before the gas service is restored and the appliance pilots are lit.

How to Turn Off Your Gas

Gas Service Shutoff Valve

In an emergency, your gas can be turned off at the main gas service shutoff valve normally located near your gas meter. Using a 12 to 15 inch adjustable pipe or crescent-type wrench or other suitable tool, give the valve a quarter turn in either direction; the valve is closed when the tang (the part you put the wrench on) is crosswise to the pipe.

• Know where your main gas service shutoff valve is located
• Keep an adjustable pipe or crescent-type wrench available to turn off the gas in case of an emergency
• Know how to shut off the gas at the gas service shutoff valve
• Leave it off until service can be restored safely by PG&E or another qualified professional

If your gas service is configured differently from the one described and you wish to know how to turn of your gas, please contact PG&E.

Appliance Gas Shutoff Valve

Appliance Gas Shutoff Valve

Most gas appliances have a gas shutoff valve located near the appliance that lets you turn off the gas to that appliance only. In some cases, turning off the gas at the appliance's shutoff valve will suffice if there is a gas leak or the appliance needs to be replaced or serviced. You should have an appliance gas shutoff valve installed at each gas appliance that lets you turn off the gas to that appliance only, instead of shutting off all gas at the main gas service shutoff valve. To turn off the gas at the gas appliance, rotate the valve a quarter turn.

• Know which of your appliances use natural gas
• Know where the appliance gas shutoff valves are located, and how to turn them off

source: pge

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Orinda Plumber - Detecting Gas Leaks - Guaranteed Plumbing Danville

Although household explosions from gas escape are rare, as much as three hundred inhabitants die annually from gas escape poisoning. Odor-free and uncolored, gas that is natural is a conventional premises fuel. Gas companies insert a safe matter known as Mercaptan to make a rotten egg or sulfur stench for trouble-free gas leak detection by our sense of smell. Home gas detectors notice gas leaks and offer protection to anybody with a diminished smelling ability.

We urge inhabitants to take fast action and follow the preventative measures underneath in an event of gas escape:

Evacuate the house immediately and contact your gas company from a neighbor's home.

Do not turn on or shut electrical appliances or light controls, or operate telephones. This may lead to huge blasts.

Avoid lighting matches, burning candles or smoking.

Do not re-enter home before a gas company agent has checked the house, examined the shutoff knobs and asserted your premises nontoxic.

Keep your gas devices clean, airy, and often serviced to make certain their good working conditions. Combustible objects ought to be distanced from water heaters, furnaces, ovens and other gas units to avoid gas escape.

External gas escape is more difficult to detect with only your sense of smell. Warning signs of outside gas leaks are chronic hissing noise, air blowing water or dirt, bubbles form on the surface of water puddles or ponds, and no plants next to gas lines run. In case you detect each and every of the above mentioned warning signs in your backyard, abandon your residence and phone the gas supplier from a nearby resident home.

source: pge, plumberchicagoil

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Danville Plumbing - What are Customers Say - Guaranteed Plumbing

I am a tile contractor that does lots of remodel work on kitchens and baths. I only use Guaranteed Plumbing to finish my jobs. I know at the end of the day I will have no call backs. They are professional, clean, on time and very reasonable when it comes to price. FIVE STARS FOR SURE
DANNY/DH TILE Fremont, Ca

We just had them install a tankless water heater and a gas line for a fireplace insert. The work was very clean, professional, on time and on budget. They even removed a small shed housing the old water heater (detaching it from the house) and removed all debris.

Bryan S.  Walnut Creek

I cannot believe there are no reviews for Guaranteed Plumbing, Having called on this company several times in the past five years, both plumbing issues and also using them for several remodels, I can personally say they are a great company. Professional, honest, genuine, top notch employees. From the owner, to the receptionist and all of the technicians, I have had very positive experience working with Guaranteed Plumbing. When they schedule an appt., they are on time and complete the work or explain what parts need to be ordered and a return visit is scheduled. They also clean up their mess, which is huge on my scale of critique. And, they are reasonable and deal with an excellent resource for their parts.

Kathy H.  Danville


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