As the temperatures drop and winter approaches, one of the most critical tasks homeowners should undertake is winterizing their plumbing. Failing to do so can lead to frozen pipes, which can burst and cause significant damage to your home. By taking proactive steps to protect your plumbing system, you can save yourself from costly repairs and headaches during the cold months ahead!
One of the primary reasons to winterize your plumbing is to prevent freezing. Water expands when it freezes, putting immense pressure on pipes, especially those made of plastic or older materials. Insulating exposed pipes in unheated areas, such as basements, attics, and crawl spaces, can significantly reduce the risk of freezing. Additionally, draining outdoor hoses and shutting off exterior water sources can prevent ice buildup and ensure that your plumbing system remains intact throughout winter.
In addition to protecting against freezing, winterizing your plumbing can improve your home’s overall efficiency. By ensuring that your pipes are insulated and properly maintained, you can reduce the likelihood of leaks and enhance water flow. This means that when Spring arrives, you won’t just be free from plumbing problems; you’ll also enjoy lower water bills (at least you SHOULD; TBD depending on the current City billing situation) and a more efficient home. Overall, winterizing your plumbing is a small investment of time and effort that can lead to substantial savings and peace of mind during the harsh winter months. When you are ready to get ahead of the upcoming season and schedule that winterizing service, you know who to call!
In the age of technology and more options for consumers to choose from than ever before, one head-scratching puzzle in the world of plumbing has been deciding which toilet paper is best for making sure you have no unnecessary/preventable septic troubles. From flushable wipes to one-ply paper, and everywhere in between, the question can be daunting. The answer? We got you!
Not all choices for toilet paper provide the same proof of promise! The National Sanitation Foundation has a specific designation of “septic-safe” toilet papers. The best toilet papers for your septic system will be a combination of a few or all of the following traits: chemical-free (including scent-free), biodegradable, recycled, and/or reasonably thick. The worst toilet paper choices that could potentially cause a future headache are those that are scented, colored, quilted, triple-ply, or the dreaded “flushable” wipe. These papers are often too strong to break down easily. Let’s look at some reasons why these choices could lead to future trouble.
Scented/Colored: While these two characteristics may bring some extra flair to your restroom decadence, they could also be the cause of wear and tear on your septic tank. The chemicals that make these papers such a delight can be harmful to the microbes and bacteria in your tank. Dyes and perfumes may also be irritating to the skin.
Quilted: These papers contain an adhesive that is extremely slow to break down in septic systems. Because this causes the paper to be less biodegradable, it may lead to clogs and blockages.
Triple-Ply: The luxurious choice, no doubt, but also a pain in the sense that this amount of plush, thickness can take an extended amount of time to break down. The extra comfy cushion for the tush’ can be another cause for future clogs and blockages.
“Flushable” Wipes: Ah, the crème de la crème of septic nightmares. No matter how these little buggers are marketed, they will never (read: NEVER!) decompose or breakdown in any septic system. They will sit in the water taking up space, causing septic levels to rise & potentially leading to backups / blockages, even leading to solids being forced into the drain field. When this happens, you can count on catastrophic troubles! It is our professional recommendation that these types of disposable wipes be thrown away rather flushed away.
Now for a few characteristics to look for when choosing the best paper that won’t rile up your septic tank! First and foremost, the paper needs to be biodegradable. Compostable paper makes it easier to break down and prevent clogs. Scott Rapid dissolve, Cottonelle Ultra CleanCare Soft, Bamboo/Tree-Free Paper, 2-Ply Seventh Generation, are all generally great recommendations depending on personal preferences. You will want to watch for biodegradable options that are reasonably thick (not TOO thick, or TOO thin), highly absorbent, and chemical/dye- free.
Remember, just because the label says, “Septic Safe,” does not necessarily guarantee that the paper is, in-fact, not going to cause you pain and suffering later on. Choose wisely!
You may be asking yourself, “What the hell is a toilet sweat?” Creative minds may find a few avenues of answering this, but the truth is simple. When the toilet tank is cooler than the air around it, condensation (or sweat) will form on the outside. The tank fills with generally cold water, cooling the temperature of the tank itself. When the warm air circulating your home hits the cooled tank, moisture in the surrounding air will start to condense and collect. Not only can this be an irritating happenstance, but it can also lead to damp floors that invite mold/bacteria if not addressed. Here are a few suggestions we can recommend, helping you keep things dry & comfy!
Replacing the tank/toilet with new. Replacement may, at times, be more of an effective solution. Models with built-in insulation are available and a low-flow toilet will use less water. Both options will mean less chance to get cold and clammy.
Reduce humidity. Shorter shower times, leaving the bathroom door open or cranking the A/C if weather allows when showering, and installing/using a bathroom fan would all be viable options for reducing the moisture in the air.
Installing a mixing valve. This type of valve will let a bit of hot water mix in with a supply of cold water, acting as an antiperspirant for your tank. Easy access to the hot water line will be necessary in avoiding excess work locating and tying in. This is absolutely a job that will require a professional, licensed plumber!
Using a drip pan. Placing a tray under the tank as a stopgap may be a plausible temporary fix until you are able to work out a more long-term or aesthetically pleasing solution.
Insulate. Purchasing and installing an insulation kit will help to balance out the temperature difference between your tank & the surrounding air. These kits will include an anti-condensation liner to prevent water from forming on the outside of the tank.
Whichever fix seems best suited to your needs, I think we can all agree nobody enjoys the shock of a cold, wet back when assuming the position! If you feel like your situation calls for expert hands/eyes to find the best solution, the technicians at Alpine Plumbing Heating & Cooling are standing by! Contact us today at (406) 252-7100 or visit us online at AlpineBillings.com.
It’s that time of year, yet again, where nature is turning colors and temps are cooling as we usher in a new season. What does this mean for the comforts of home? It might be time for maintenance checks! Our HVAC and plumbing specialists’ schedules are filling quickly, so we wanted to give you heads up as to what to prepare for and what you can expect from our seasonal service calls.
HVAC: When was the last time your furnace filters were changed? Do you know if your system is starting up correctly? When you call us in to green light your home’s heating for the winter, here is short list of just some of what you can expect will be on our checklist in making sure you are not collecting Frequent Flier Miles with us. (Our FFM have no trade in or monetary value – just smiles and a friendly invoice charge.)
Replacing filters
Making sure condenser unit & lines are clean
Checking on refrigerant levels (In cases of repairing leaks, we may perform dye test with a return appointment to ensure proper sealants.)
Testing all controls and thermostats to verify proper function
Lubricating any moving parts
Winterizing A/C units: this may include turning power off, cleaning the unit, covering the unit properly, and possibly insulating any uncovered or exposed pipes
Etc.
Plumbing: With water being one of the most powerful and destructive forces running through your household, with the exception of toddlers and/or teenagers, we strongly recommend not skipping over winter prep! Having a licensed and trusted plumber perform your home’s winter preparation will save you a potential world of trouble in the long run! Our winterizing calls may include:
Sealing off any cracks or open spaces in venting, crawl spaces, and home exterior
Covering hose bibbs that are not frost-free: this may include closing the valve completely, draining any remaining water, and installing a cover
Opening all drain valves & taps: A closed tap could create a vacuum of water held inside pipes
Insulating exposed pipes with insulations sleeves (either wrapping or using slip-on foam insulation)
Verifying proper function of existing water heater(s)
Etc.
A phone call to our office at (406) 252-7100 could be the very thing standing between you and utter disaster this winter! We would love to help guarantee your home is at its best and ready to take on whatever this season may throw. Again, schedules are filling up fast, so do yourself a favor by calling today to lock in your service!
It is no mystery that there are bound to be a few learning curves with every new life experience. While some simply require a certain degree of common sense, we fully understand the slipping grip of that trait is in a continued societal decline. So, to offer a friendly, light-spirited helping hand, we have put together some dos and don’ts of bringing hired help into your home. If you find yourself guilty of the behaviors we will discuss below, no shame – we are all human and nobody is perfect! Plus, we here at Alpine are the forgiving kind… to a point. Without further ado, let’s crack this egg!
Realistic Expectations
We get it – champagne taste and bright-eyed dreams can take you far in life. If you don’t have a bank account to match, turning these into reality may become tough. Remodel projects are always a bit of an undertaking and each one is littered with their own set of obstacles. When outsourcing for remodel projects, it is important to note that you called in help for a reason, and that the help’s expertise most likely stretches beyond your own knowledge of the work. We want you to have your dream space also! Though, building something from nothing is time-consuming and can be an excessive workload. If your technicians have alternative suggestions or cannot perform the desired work due to legalities, please do not degrade them, argue with them, or berate them into flagging your address to never return to. We are on your side and have the same vision for the outcome that you do! We just want to get you there safely, legally, and within reasonable, realistic means that won’t bury you in debt or further your troubles down the road.
The Devil in the Details
It is vital there be an equal understanding of clearly communicated details. The details that often go miscommunicated in service calls are those like start times, locations, billing address vs service address, points of contact, and (believe it or not) even the full scope of work being requested. We don’t know what we don’t know and likewise for our clients. By no means do we need a full history of the property or how your Aunt Petunia came to inherit the property back in 1957, but a good rule of thumb to follow is this: If you think the technicians will not be able to perform the work being requested without this information, go ahead and share that information when you are making the appointment, BEFORE the time of service. Knowing what we are walking into and where to find it will do all parties involved a world of good – especially in sparing you some hourly cost.
Bartering Bills
We are not traders, and this is not the Oregon Trail. Money spends, my friends. While our technicians will always be grateful for a little extra kindness received, baked goods are not a fair sole payment for services rendered. An offer to pay by trade of services is not a fair payment. Drugs, booze, bbq nor booty are appropriate means of squaring out due payment either. No judgements! Your own time is yours. When our time is yours, however, there will be a cost; A cost resolved only in real monetary exchange.
Tidying Up
If the area of your home in which service is needed is inaccessible or obstructed, the chances of your technicians taking on the role of housekeeper are unlikely. Instead, often said technicians will leave said obstructed area, and the appointments will likely be rescheduled. Please be sure that access to the issues you need help resolving is in fact accessible before your scheduled appointment time.
Pants.
Just put ‘em on. Please and thank you.
Did you find yourself in our little list here? Again, no stress! We hope this has helped awaken a little insight & reason behind these woes. We here at Alpine look forward to being the ones who can help take some stress off your plate & appreciate the courteousness our community continues to put forth!
Not being a technician, I often have difficulty articulating the trouble that brings need for a plumber. Being a new addition here, there has certainly been a learning curve for using the industry jargon correctly. The average person can easily misuse the lingo and/or mistake the actual root issue when calling in help. While our team of expert techs will inevitably get to the bottom of the issue, we thought it useful to compile a short list of industry terms and their definitions that people often mistake or misinterpret.
Water Heater- (often mistakenly referred to as a “Hot” water heater – though a water heater’s sole purpose is making water hot) A household appliance consisting of a gas or electric heating unit under a tank in which water is heated and stored.
Hose Bibb- A hose bibb is the small faucet attachment on an outer wall of your home that facilitates your access to water in your backyard, driveway, and the likes. As the name implies, this is the small tap that functions as an attachment to your garden hose, giving you easy access to water outdoors.
Washer Valve- This valve delivers water to your washing machine via two hoses for each hot and cold water. These valves look like little, itty-bitty baby hose bibbs, but do not function the same. A problem with the valve can cause the washer to not fill properly or not fill at all.
Faucet Valve- The sole function of the valve is to control the water passing through the faucet and mixes hot and cold water. It turns the water on and off and limits the amount of water flow which can range from a trickle to a deluge. If the valve fails, the faucet stops being a faucet. It cannot perform its essential function: delivering measured amounts of water.
Faucet Cartridge- The modern valve is usually built into a removable carrier called a cartridge which is inserted into the body of the faucet. Any wear on the valve takes place inside the cartridge, not inside the body of the faucet. If the valve fails, in some cases the cartridge can easily be replaced, restoring function to the faucet. Before removable cartridges, the faucet body would have needed to be re-machined or the whole faucet replaced.
Plumbing Vent- Just as drainpipes remove water and waste from your home, the plumbing vent pipe – also known as a plumbing air vent – removes gas and odors. It also allows fresh air into the plumbing system to help water flow smoothly through the drainpipes. However, no water runs through the plumbing vent pipe.
Sewage Ejector Pump- A sewage ejector pump, also called a pump-up ejector system, is used when a bathroom, laundry room or any other type of plumbing fixture is located below the level of the main sewer or septic line flowing from the house. The principle of a sewage ejector pump is like a groundwater sump pump, but instead of rainwater seepage being pumped out of the home, it is waste/sewage being lifted and out into the main sewer lines or septic field.
Sump Pump- A sump pump is a pump used to remove water that has accumulated in a water-collecting sump basin, commonly found in the basements of homes.
Lav- A room or building equipped with one or more toilets – your bathroom. “Lav” is the location of the fixture, as opposed to the fixture itself. For example, if you hear the term “Lav Faucet” or “Lav Sink,” this is describing the location, not necessarily referring to a specific brand/fixture.
*Still unsure of how to explain your plumbing woes? No worries! We here at Alpine want to help spare you as much stress as possible in keeping your home at its best. Feel free to give us a call Monday through Thursday, 8am-4:00pm (Fridays 8am-3pm), at 406-252-7100 and we will try our might to figure things out together! Also, don’t forget to stay tuned for our next blog: “Jumbled Jargon Part 2: HVAC.”
Let’s face it – most of us like to think our handyman skills are more than what they really are. The truth: Too many mistakes often take place before we call in the professionals. While I’ve had my fair share of household jobs turn up, the intuition to resolve them has not. I have seen/heard of the horror that can come preemptive to phoning in help. Today, we’re looking at 5 common mistakes people often make before turning to their trusted and certified plumber. (Number 5 is a doozy!)
Not Turning Off Water at Main Shut Off.
To avoid risking thousands of dollars in damage and a massive headache, take the extra few minutes to shut off the main water supply valve. If you try to quickly attach a new valve or faucet without shutting off the water, chances are you’ll have full water pressure flooding the room and dripping to lower floors. Water is easily the most destructive element of nature, as it takes no prisoners in finding the path of least resistance. Don’t be that guy.
Over-Tightening Connections.
Too much pressure on a galvanized or black pipe, coupling, tee or elbow can cause the fittings to crack. The risk here lies in that the crack may not happen right away. Over time, the excessive force could cause a crack to happen weeks later – SURPRISE! – flooding. Over-tightening plastic fitting on toilet and faucet supply tubes is very common. When the hex bolts are tightened too much, they can crack and leak. Over-tightening closet bolts at the floor (or where the bowl meets the tank) can cause damage to the porcelain and cause premature ware on the toilet. Bottom line, patience is key here, friends!
Wrong Fittings.
Knowing which drain fittings to use in each application is critical to avoiding code violations and unpleasant smells. Different situations call for a tee, wye, or a long or short sweep elbow. Knowing when to use each type of fitting before beginning a job or buying parts is the second-best option; the first being calling the trusted professionals at Alpine. Duh!
Combining Copper and Galvanized Pipes.
When copper piping is joined to galvanized piping, the reaction can cause corrosion. This can lead to severe rusting and clog issues. In most cases a plumber will not replace the copper pipes with steel galvanized pipe (It takes too long and requires specialized pipe threading tools), but rather adapt to copper. This results in a temporary fix, but long term it accelerates the corrosion of the existing pipe work. To avoid these issues, rubber stops called dielectric unions can be purchased to join the two sections of pipe.
The Pièce de Résistance: Drano.
Drano is just a temporary band-aid fix, not a long-term solution. Drano can burn skin, irritate eyes, and hurt lungs. Often plumbers will check with homeowners to see if Drano has been used within a 24-hour period, as this could make working conditions unsafe. These chemicals can severely damage plumbing systems. Toilet bowls can crack. PVC pipes can soften and break. Old, corroded pipes can be easily damaged. It can quickly eat away at adhesives. Drano is unpredictable if combined with other products or equipment, PERIOD. You never know what kind of chemical reaction you might get when using this within a plumbing system!
We know it’s not always an easy feat to ask for help. What’s even more difficult? Backtracking damage that could have been avoided with a simple phone call. With another season fast approaching, our schedule at Alpine is filling up fast! You may want to give us a call sooner than later to lock in your appointment. Whether it be those small, odd jobs that may seem like an easy fix or a full-blown overhaul of work to be done – we are on standby to help alleviate that stress! Call us today to find out how soon we can have you back up and running with no hiccups or surprises to come home to.