Plumbing Walnut Creek - Shouid I get Gas or an Electric Water Heater - Guaranteed Plumbing Co

WATER HEATERS

When we think about where our energy dollars go, we notice the obvious choices we see every day around the house - lights, kitchen appliances, television, and air conditioning and heating. But we tend to overlook the expense of heating water for our daily needs, however 25% of each energy dollar goes to heat water.

Like most appliances, water heaters have improved greatly in recent years. Today's models are much more energy efficient. That's why you probably couldn't replace your existing water heater with the same exact model - and you probably wouldn't want to. Instead, you may be able to purchase a more efficient water heater that will save you money on energy each month. That's why you shouldn't just consider the initial purchase price - think about how much it costs to operate. You could save hundreds of dollars in the long run.

Look at it this way - some cars get 15 miles to a gallon, while other, more efficient vehicles can go 30 miles or more on a gallon of gas. In the same way, some water heaters use energy more efficiently. Buy one of those and you'll spend less money each month to get the same amount of hot water.

The average life expectancy of a water heater is 13 years. That's how long you'll be living with the decision you make now. If you choose a water heater that saves you money, the savings will continue for years.

If your new water heater saves an average of a dollar a month in energy costs, that amounts to a savings of $12 a year - or $156 over its expected lifespan.

Electric vs Gas

Your first decision should be whether to buy a gas or electric model. If you're replacing an existing water heater, check to see what type you have now. Is it gas, electric or even propane? Do you have a natural gas outlet available at the water heater, or only an electric outlet? Many homes are not equipped with natural gas. Obviously, it would not be a good idea to buy a gas water heater if you have an all-electric home.

Which is better - gas or electric?

In almost all of California, natural gas is the most economical way to go. It usually costs three times as much to heat the same amount of water with electricity as it does with gas.

If you have an electric water heater and a gas furnace or stove, you may save money in the long run if you extend the gas line to your water heater.

If you live in a rural area that has propane service instead of natural gas, propane is usually less expensive than electricity.

source:  http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/home/appliances/waterheaters.html

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Dublin Plumber - How to Shop for Sinks - Guaranteed Plumbing Co

As you design your bathroom and choose the style of your sink, there are several installation options you’ll want to consider.

Pedestal

A stand-alone fixture, the pedestal sink features a wide basin – available in multiple sizes – and a narrow base, similar to the shape of a birdbath.

Wall-mount

These sinks attach to the wall and often include a shroud to cover any piping. Convenient for small bathrooms where additional floor space is useful.

Above-counter

There are two types of above-counter sinks. Vessels sinks are freestanding basins that sit on the counter, acting as a dramatic centerpiece for any bathroom. Wading Pool® above-counter sinks, unique to us, accentuate the movement of water and are often easier to install.

Under-mount

These sinks mount beneath the counter to create a seamless counter-to-basin transition. Sleek style and ease of cleaning give this installation type its appeal.

Drop-in

Drop-in sinks have a rim or lip that sits on the counter while the basin rests below. Ideal for remodeling, drop-in sinks can be easily retrofitted to an existing counter.

Vanity-Top

Designed to coordinate with KOHLER vanity and console table styles and sizes, vanity-tops fit snugly over the entire cabinet or table and act as both counter and basin.


source: http://www.us.kohler.com/us/How-to-Shop-for-Bathroom-Sinks/content/CNT800369.htm

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Plumber Alamo - How to Shop for Toilets - Guaranteed Plumbing Co

As you shop for a new toilet, there are a few things you’ll want to consider along with style. We’ve listed the main features and amenities here, but you can also refer to the glossary for additional definitions of terms.

One- vs. Two-Piece Toilets

One-piece toilets integrate tank and bowl into a seamless, space-saving design that is easy to clean. Some low-profile models can be installed under a vanity extension when space is at a premium. Because of their special design detail, most one-piece KOHLER toilets ship with a complementary Quiet-Close™ toilet seat with Quick-Release™ functionality.
Two-piece toilets feature the traditional design of a separate tank and bowl. Two- and three-bolt installation systems provide a sturdy, level connection between the tank and bowl, making installation easy.

source: http://www.us.kohler.com/us/nonprdcontent/articleDetail1.jsp?contentId=CNT800391

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Bowl Shape

Compact elongated one-piece toilet designs enable an elongated bowl to fit in a round-front space.
Elongated bowls provide added room and comfort for adults. These will have the abbreviation “EB.”
Round-front bowls require less space and are good for small children. These are also referred to as “plain bowls” with the abbreviation “PB."

Comfort Height® Toilets

Comfort Height toilets, approximately 2 inches taller than traditional toilets, make sitting down and standing up easier. Toilets that measure between 17 and 19 inches in height from the floor to the top of the seat are considered Comfort Height toilets, whereas traditional toilets measure below 17 inches in height. Many Comfort Height toilets are also ADA-compliant when installed per the applicable guidelines.

Gallons Per Flush

From 1.6 to 0.6, the KOHLER toilet offering features a range of gallons-per-flush options to meet your household’s needs. If you’re searching for a high-efficiency toilet to save water and reduce monthly water bills, we offer water-saving toilets in both gravity-fed and assisted-flush models.

Flushing Technologies

We offer multiple flushing technologies to meet the needs of different homes and bathrooms – standard single-flush, dual-flush and assisted-flush. You can choose from any one of our flushing options and expect the same great performance.

Guaranteed Plumbing Co, Danville, CA - If Your Tap Water Appears Brown, Red, Orange, or Yellow in Color

Brown, red, orange, or yellow water is caused by rust in the water. The different colors can be attributed to varying chemical oxidation states of the iron (rust) and by varying concentrations of the rust in the water. There are two major sources that can cause water to be rusty: 1) the Water Board's water mains or 2) the water pipes in your house, apartment, or business. 

The Water Board's annual flushing program normally removes any sediment accumulated in the mains serving the majority of our customers. However, in areas of low flow where aging pipes contribute rust and sediment, discoloration of the water can occur. 

If an unusual flow of water through the main occurs, this sediment can become disturbed and temporarily suspended in the water causing a brown, red, orange, or yellow color. Unusual water flows are commonly caused by a broken water main, the Water Board repairing/replacing a water main, a fire hydrant being knocked off its base due to an automobile accident, or by someone operating a fire hydrant nearby. This type of disturbance usually lasts for approximately two to four hours after which time the sediment will settle out and the water will clear. This discolored water is not a health threat. If you, your child, or your pet happen to drink some of the discolored water, it will not make you sick. As the rust can stain clothing, it is best to wait several hours for the water to clear before doing any laundry. Also, do not use any hot water as you may draw this rusty water into your hot water tank, which may have to be flushed out later. If you were doing laundry when the water became discolored, rewash the laundry later when the water clears. Use a rust stain remover or regular detergent. DO NOT USE CHLORINE BLEACH. Chlorine reacts with iron and can form a permanent stain. 

The major cause of brown, red, orange, or yellow water is rusty water pipes in your house, apartment, or business. There are two commonly used water pipes - copper and galvanized steel. Copper pipes are usually considered to be better because they last longer and generally do not significantly affect water quality as they age. They are also more expensive than galvanized steel pipes, so the steel pipe is still often used. On average, galvanized steel pipes will last about 20 years before showing signs of corrosion (rusting). Well-made galvanized pipe can last as long as 40 years, while poorly made pipe can show signs of corroding in just a few years. If old, rusty pipes are discoloring your water, the only permanent solution is to replace them. Replacing only some of the pipes can improve the problem, or it can actually make it worse. If some of the old steel pipes are replaced with new copper pipes and the two different metals are connected directly together, the copper can cause the steel to rust even more than before the replacement. This process can be stopped with the use of proper dielectric coupling between the two dissimilar pipes. Consult an experienced seller of plumbing materials or an experienced plumber. Water that is being discolored by rusty pipes is not a health hazard, however, it is an indication that pipes are corroding and they can eventually begin leaking.

The first step in solving a brown or yellow water problem is to determine its origin - if the problem is coming from your home/business's plumbing at some point after the water meter or if it is coming from the Water Board's distribution system.

The following are some common indications that the problem is coming from the Water Board's distribution system:

The water was clear earlier but suddenly became discolored.

Only the cold water is discolored.

The water is discolored at all of the water faucets on the property and does not clear or improve after the water has been run for several minutes.

Some common indications that the problem is coming from the customer's plumbing include:

·         The water is discolored every morning or when first used after several hours of disuse.

·         The water clears after it has run for a few minutes.

·         The discoloration is only at one or several faucets, but not all of them.

·         The discoloration is only in the hot water.

If you are still not sure if the discolored water is due to your plumbing or if it's coming from the Water Board's water mains, do the following:

When you notice the water is discolored, turn off the faucet.

Immediately take a clean glass or a white bowl and go to the water faucet (hose bib) at the front of your house, apartment, or business. This faucet is usually near the main water shut-off valve for the property.

Turn the water on wide-open and run it for a full two minutes. Check your watch - two minutes is a long time.

After two minutes, fill the glass or bowl with water.

If the water is clear at the front faucet, your plumbing is likely the culprit. If the problem becomes chronic and the water supply at the front is always clear, you should consult a plumber.

source: http://www.cbnbh2o.com/tips/water_color.html

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Guaranteed Plumbing Co, Danville, CA - Why Copper Piping

Plumbing & Heating

Copper tube is the standard plumbing material for potable water and heating systems in most European countries, and the preferred material of the professional plumber and heating engineer.

Historical perspective

Copper tubes for conveying water were first used about the year 2750 BC. There is an example in the Berlin State Museum taken from the Temple of King Sa-Hu-Re at Abusir in Egypt. It formed part of a pipeline nearly 100m in length, made up of separate sections, each about 750mm long. The tube was folded up from thin hammered copper sheet, to a diameter of approximately 75mm and embedded in gypsum stone hewn out to a U shape.
The beginning of the Industrial Revolution saw an advance in the use of thick wall copper tube, which was jointed by means of screw threads. When the joints were being made they were sealed by the application of heat and tinman solder. During the early 1930s, with the advent of thin wall or light gauge copper tube, other jointing methods developed; i.e. capillary and compression fittings; the cost of copper water services pipeworks became competitive with other materials and a new era was opened to the plumbing and heating engineer.

Tried and tested

Copper is a natural material - it has been used to make drinking vessels, water pipes and containers for thousands of years. Because copper is bacteriostatic, it inhibits the growth of bacterial and viral organisms in water systems.
Copper components manufactured to European Standards are scientifically tested, fully accepted and carry quality certification approvals world-wide.

Main attributes for plumbing and heating applications

Copper tube and fittings can be used in every part of plumbing and heating systems. Copper is strong, it can easily be formed into bends and systems can be assembled both on and off-site.
Copper's popularity is based on a combination of properties that make it unique. It is capable of withstanding extremes of heat without suffering any degradation. It is resistant to corrosion and high water-pressure. It doesn't burn, it keeps its shape and strength in high temperature environments and it gives long life in service.
In addition, copper piping gives excellent protection against contaminants to the domestic water supply. Nothing can get through: no fluids, no germs, no oxygen, no ultra-violet rays - nothing. Copper plumbing tube does not absorb organic substances, and cannot be softened by them in service.

Durable yet recyclable

Copper is durable. It's strong and resists damage, so copper tube and fittings can be relied on for decades.
Copper is completely recyclable without loss of quality, which benefits both the environment and the plumbing profession. Customers benefit too: their homes are more valuable with genuine copper plumbing, and, with more and more people concerned about the world's natural resources, choosing copper minimises environmental impact because it is a fully recyclable material.

Good value for money

When you compare its price and performance, the total cost of a copper installation is very competitive. In the hands of a skilled installer, copper's engineering traditions give customers a durable, reliable system at a reasonable price.

source: http://www.eurocopper.org/copper/plumbing-heating.html

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