FREEZE PREPRATIONS
Hello,
Just a Reminder of Last years Nightmare with Plumbing freezes. I know it is a little early, but we are already getting calls with what to prepare for. We had 107 hours below freezing last year and it was the first time in over a decade. Most of the homes in Frisco, Tx had never been exposed to this kind of weather, but BE WARNED. Here are the record numbers.
- Most consecutive hours below freezing: 295 (7 am Dec 18 – 2 pm Dec 30, 1983)
- Most consecutive hours at or below freezing: 295 (7 am Dec 18 – 2 pm Dec 30, 1983)
It will most likely happen again at some point. We had around 3,000 calls come in over the Feb., 2011 freeze, and Plumbers everywhere were turning them down. We could not Manage the work, and I apologize to all customers that we missed. There wasn’t much that anyone could have done. We Tried our best. Sean and I were slipping and sliding everywhere and working as many hours as our bodies would allow. If you would have called me before the freeze and asked me what to do to prepare, I would have just told you to make sure all outside hoses were removed from the house, and that you didn’t need to worry with the Hydrant covers or open cabinet doors. Well, I WAS WRONG and IGNORANT! I did not know about the above information. I now am going to tell people to prepare for the worst. It is coming again. If you had something freeze up last year, then let’s try to prevent it from doing it again. Some steps are:
- Remove all outside hoses
- Install foam or some sort of cover over hydrant
- Any pipes with hydrants sticking up out of the ground, Put a hay bale over them
- If your washing machine backs up to an outside wall, Stack hay bales up against the outside wall higher than the washing machine
- If you have an outside water softner (I’m sorry for you), then you need to build a hay bale fortress around it.
- If you have a kitchen sink or plumbing that backs up to an outside wall, then put hay bales up on the outside of it.
- Open all cabinets that have plumbing
- Trickle water through both hot and cold faucets (small trickle)
- If you have a bathroom or plumbing over a garage or tunnel entry, then get some type of heater to heat that bathroom hotter than the rest of the house.
- It is also a good idea to lean a hay bales up against the outside hydrants
- If you have sprinklers in your house for fire protection, then you need to make sure your attic is sealed up tight and consider putting heat lamps in the attic and turn up the heat a little hotter, Do not turn off heat to certain parts of the home. Seal off any roof vents (if possible)
- BE CAREFUL with the heat lamps. Always follow the directions. Read the directions until you understand them or don’t use the lamp. Please be careful, you could burn your house down.
- If you have a break, call the non emergency fire department
- Remember Homes here are built for average temperatures, not extreme. They are not built to withstand 107 hours of freezing and certainly not 295 like in 1983.
There is no Guarantee that you will not have a freeze. You can try to send the bill for the Damages to Mother Nature, but She probably will not pay. Good luck this year, Hopefully it is not another 1983 or we are all in big trouble.
Thanks,
Jay
Flooded houses!!!
We have been experiencing some flooded houses and I wanted to let you know how to avoid and what to do if it happens. First, let me start by saying that you need to know the local Non Emergency phone number for the Fire department closest to you, if you don’t live in Frisco, Plano, or McKinney, you may need to call them and ask, if they offer they would come out in the event that you had water flooding and needed help. Most of the fireman I talked too, said they had no problem helping. Most cities have a Utility department emergency line, but the response time has been too long, and too much damage has been done. It also helps to know where your Main shut off valve is located. These are usually located in the flower beds up by the house in a green box. You may have an original valve with the house, be prepared, it may not work. Its a good idea to check this valve at least every 6 months to a year to make sure it is in working order. We can upgrade you to a heavy duty valve that will last you 30 plus years. That will not rust. The meter box at the street is for the City to shut off the water. Most Cities do not want home owners to use this to shut off the water. I would still have a meter key (available at Green supply in Frisco, TX on 5th street.). Now what to do to prevent these floods. Maintenance Maintenance Maintenance. It is a very good idea to have a plumber come out every year to do a thorough walk-thru. We often find things, that you may dismiss. Here are some items that have flooded houses recently in the area:
- Ice maker filter cracked (cause; it was over 2 years old)
- Ice maker filter shot off (cause; water pressure over 80psi, regulator fail)
- Ice maker solenoid crack (cause; water pressure over 80 psi)
- Water heaters (cause; flex connector leaked for a long time)
- Water heaters (cause; over 8 years old in the attic)
- Water heaters (cause; Relief valve leaked, pan drain clogged)
- Toilet (cause; old shut off valve failed)
- Toilet (cause; toilet not flushing well, overflowed)
- Toilet (cause; cheap corrugated tubing failed on supply)
- Toilet (cause; 10 year old toilet tank cracked)
- Tub (cause; drain corroded completely)
- Tub (missing caulking and tile)
- Pipe burst (water pressure over 80psi, no regulator)
- Shower valve (tile guy installed shower valve; Not licensed)
- Shower valve (handy man installed parts wrong; not licensed)
- Washing machine (overflowed 10 year old drains, never cleaned)
- Kitchen sink drains (leaking drains, not repaired in time)
Almost all of these items could have been avoided if a Licensed Plumber had come out once a year to just take a look. These are just examples of some people that we have helped. At the end of the day, Plumbing will fail, and we are not perfect, but we will try our best to help you avoid these issues. The People of Frisco, Plano, and McKinney, that are attached to these NIGHTMARE’S above had to put up with a lot of mess, costs, and displacement. We wouldn’t wish there pain on anyone. If you need help locating your Valve in you flower bed, we can come out for $60.00 and find it for you. GUARANTEED!
Posted in Plumbing Frisco, Tx
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New site!
Hello,
Welcome to Plumbing by Jay, INC. We recently updated our site to better serve you. We are going to be adding more content and more information. Please feel free to comment on any items or if you want more information on a plumbing item or term. Please let us know.
Thank you,
Jay
Posted in Plumbing Frisco, Tx
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Why My toilet doesn’t Flush right
Toilets over the years have not changed much, but in 1993 the Government decided that they could only operate with 1.6 Gallons per flush. The industry was not ready and we had over a decade of Toilets not flushing right. We as consumers have just gotten used to Plunging, and dealing with it. You do not have to deal with this anymore. There are a few different manufacturers that have solved the problems. The biggest issue as mentioned in the video is the Size of the opening at the bottom of the bowl and where the water goes into the bowl from the tank. In my opinion, the best flushing toilet currently on the market is the American Standard brand and specifically the “Champion 4 series”. Some Plumbers argue this, but you need to understand something, these toilets are extra heavy, and weigh more than most toilets. This has been a complaint from other plumbers, so if you have a Plumber that is looking for the fastest, cheapest, easiest way to install a toilet, this toilet is not for them. However, if you want something that flushes very well. I suggest you watch the video below. They used to have a comparison video side by side with Kohler’s best flushing toilet (JUNK), but had to take it down from what I hear, due to Kohler threats.
Posted in Plumbing Frisco, Tx
Tagged Allen Tx, american standard, american standard champion 4, best flushing toilet, Drain cleaning, Mckinney Tx, Plano Tx, Plumber frisco, Plumbing, toilet doesn't flush, toilet flooded, Toilet install, toilet oveflowed, Toilet repair, toilet replacement
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The Truth about TANKLESS
I am going to give you my honest opinion of Tankless units. If you are considering a tankless then you should read this entire article. In my opinion tankless systems when designed and installed correctly are one of the best efficient ways to heat water in your home. However, if they are not installed correctly or issues arise with the unit, they can be a complete nightmare. I have installed several brands over the years, and have had problems with all of them to some degree. This is also true with tanked water heaters. The Plumbing industry, misguided marketing and media have distorted the facts and most people are under the impression that Tankless units are the ultimate fix to all their plumbing problems, and they will “never run out of hot water again”, “endless hot water”, “Instant hot water”. These are all false. For example, if you have a power outage and do not have a backup system, then you will be without hot water. You only get instant hot water directly at the unit, unless you install a circulation system. If the tankless is at the other end of the house from the shower, it will take just as long as before, unless a pump system is installed (SEE TACO D’mand systems) If a part malfunctions in the unit, you will not have hot water. There are NOT ANY ITEMS IN THE PLUMBING INDUSTRY THAT WILL NEVER FAIL!. I repeat, THERE IS NOTHING IN THE PLUMBING INDUSTRY THAT IS GOING TO LAST FOREVER!” Most manufacturers are putting warranties with “*” on them. The brand ETERNAL has a 20 year warranty on heat exchanger and 3 years on electronic parts. This has been one of the longest I have seen. Most others have a 10 year. We have installed a lot of Tankless and Tankless hybrid units. I go back on about 25% of them for something within the first year. There are a lot of little things that can go wrong. I go back on only 1% of Tanked water heaters. That being said, once we go back and make adjustments (usually swap out and upgrade parts from the Manufacturer), then all seems to be well. If you are ok with a few issues that may come having a high efficient unit, then the tankless is the right system. If you don’t mind changing a water heater every 8 years on average, then tanked may be for you. If you have one water heater or two and are running out of hot water during your showers, then a Tankless hybrid or Tankless could solve this problem. People ask me what I want and have in my own house. I currently have a tanked 50 gallon gas, but I hate it. We are always running out of hot water. I want to repalce it with an Eternal Gu195S Tankless hybrid unit, but I have not had the money to do so. The equipment for tankless and material to install is costly to retrofit from tank to tankless. In my opinion it is worth it. When I get the money, I will be putting a tankless hybrid in.
Visit http://eternalwaterheater.com for more information on Tankless hybrid units. I have more to add to this and will do so when I can . If you live in North TEXAS, this unit fits our area the BEST! Also note, You can Avoid a lot of issues by finding a FAST provider from Eternal’s website to install the unit. I am listed on there and I am listed as a technician to work on the units. Not all plumbers install and work on Tankless. Just ask around about me. You should find out that I am a Tankless EXPERT