Tag Plumbing & Sanitary Installation

When folks move out to the rural countryside, they leave behind them the convenience and ease of municipal sewer systems. One does not think twice about flushing a toilet, taking a long shower or using phosphate-containing detergents to do the laundry. Once you are the owner of one of the septic tanks used by those in the country for handling wastes, these will be items you will consider important to its proper function.

If you are having a new system built, you may want to keep in mind that a family of three consumes in one way or the other about one hundred fifty thousand gallons of water a year. Installers of septic systems will be able to help you determine how large of a tank you will need based on your size of family and other things. You will also need to decide what type of tank you want, whether it be of concrete, fiberglass or plastic. For most folks, the concrete one lasts longest and they choose that. It is a personal choice, however.

These waste tanks work on the principle of anaerobic activity. No air is exchanged inside of this container and that is how it works, without air. Microbes and so forth are activated and do all the work of digesting solids and such. No bulky stuff like sanitary pads, tampons or cotton tipped swabs should be disposed of down the toilet. Be careful to avoid letting cooking oils and grease go down the kitchen sink as well. These are not friendly to the workings of a septic system. It is also important not to put paints and other solvents in the tank.

For this system to function properly, there needs to be adequate space for the leach or drainage field to work. Avoid any area with a lot of trees, as their roots will eventually cause problems by clogging up the pipes or creeping into the tank and causing leaks to occur. Some folks pour a canister or box of salt down the drain once a month or so to try and keep small roots at abeyance. Feeding the liquid a septic aid will also help to keep the environment good, to keep the little anaerobic critters happy.

If you are lucky enough to own a garbage disposal, be careful not to use it excessively as all those solids could disturb and overpower the ability of the microbes and such to function correctly. Too much water from, perhaps, the laundry being done too much, could also add more water to the tank than may be advisable. Using a bio-degradable toilet tissue would be advised as well.

Locating the tank a certain distance from the house and from your well would be a good thing to be discussed with your county health department, in conjunction with your installer. They will both have the expertise you may not have in these matters. There are legal limits to the distance for the tank as well as the leach field. If they are not done according to code, you will be required to remedy the problem by moving it all. That would be expensive and easily avoided by asking the right questions of the right people in the first place.

Maintaining the tank is crucial. Many experts give conflicting information on how often a tank needs to be pumped out. The time is well past for doing so when you begin to have back-ups in floor drains or even toilets. If your family is large you may want to consider every three years or so. You may be able to go a little longer if there are just two of you most of the time.

There have been folks who have bought well-developed farms that already have a septic tank system in place. The leach field was located in what was the garden area, where there were cherry and pear trees. These trees were very old and very productive, the pears reaching a huge size in comparison to normal-sized pears. They did not appear to have any ill-effects on folks, so the folks left it all as it was.

Source by Adriana N.

So you flush your toilet and the water doesn’t flow down the drain at its normal speed. It really is at this point that you should take action, as there is an obstruction not allowing the same amount of water flow through the pipes as it usually does, but unfortunately people usually leave these slow moving blockages until it is too late.

Blockages in home toilets can be cause by all sorts of objects, those such as:

– Excessive toilet paper

– Children’s toys

– Children’s nappies

– Children’s baby wipes

– Women’s sanitary towels

– Miscellaneous items (which may have fallen into the toilet by accident)

The variety of articles that can block your toilet means varying timescales from when a slow flushing toilet turns into a blocked toilet. If the toilet is attended to immediately, the blockage could be cleared easily, as it could only be the early stages of a blockage, so by use of the correct tools it can be cleared. If you let too much time pass from first noticing the issue, the blockage may be a lot more stubborn to remove, and you might incur costs by having to call out a local plumber or drainage company.

It would be a good start to always keep the toilet area clear and safe of children, also making sure that nothing is stored on top of the toilet cistern, this guarantees that nothing can be knocked in to the toilet pot accidentally. Also, do your research on what you can and what you can’t put down the toilet, if you are unsure try a water test. A water test should be done side by side with toilet paper. As you will see, if toilet paper is left in water for 30 minutes, it will have disintegrated, hence why it is safe to use in toilets, whereas something like a child’s nappy for example, will hardly be changed by 30 minutes in water, apart from its size, increasing drastically – the same way that a woman’s sanitary item would – showing you why they can quite easily cause stubborn blockages.

Always make sure you are equipped with the correct tools should you experience a blocked toilet, for example, a plunger. Toilet plungers can be found in most local superstores or merchants usually at a very low cost. I appreciate that they may not be the most attractive tools in the world, but they could save you a lot of money. A toilet auger could also be kept handy in the home, for more serious and stubborn blockages. Plungers are quite simple to use, as all you need to do is cover the entry to the toilet with the head of the plunger, and thrust backward and forward in an energetic motion – remembering that you are trying to create force to move any obstacle in the drain – it really is that simply. Hopefully you will never have to use the plunger, aiding yourself by not putting items down the toilet than aren’t designed to, but also by carrying out minor maintenance on your drains once a month.

There are some well-known, traditional drain maintenance methods which use household items such as baking soda and vinegar. Simply pour 3 tablespoons of baking soda, followed by 250ml of vinegar down your toilet. Together they cause a chemical reaction which can help in shifting any unwanted obstructions in your pipes. Leave the mixture in the toilet for 30 minutes then flush the toilet, which should do the trick.

Knowing that people live their life’s at 100 miles per hour, more people end up with a completely blocked drain than not as they don’t have the time or the understanding to take action, so in the event that the toilet does become completely blocked, you are best calling one of the experts who will be able to assist you accordingly.

Source by Matt J Wilkinson

Septic systems are important, especially in rural areas. Septic systems are sewage systems but on a smaller scale. They do not have any connection with the main sewage system.

An important part of the septic system is the septic tank. It is big enough to hold between 4000 to 7000 liters of water. They are usually underground tanks, which are connected to an underground pipe at one end that allows the sewage to flow in. it is connect to another pipe at the other end that allows the filtered water to flow out. It is this component of a septic system that needs the most maintenance.

A septic tank may not seem that important to you, but if you do not maintain it, it will cost you a lot. Some of the common problems that you may face if you do not maintain it:

1. When a lot of cooking oils and grease enter the tank, it tends to block the inlet drains. Oils and grease are quite hard to degrade. If you get a bad odor from the tank, it is due to the oil and grease.

2. All waste is not biodegradable. Waste like cigarette butts, sanitary towels, paper towels, and cotton ear buds do not disintegrate and clog up the septic tank. You should find another way to dispose of this kind of waste.

3. Chemicals like the ones found in pesticides, herbicides, paints, and solvents have a damaging effect on the septic tank. Try to avoid these chemicals from entering it.

4. Cut down any shrubs or trees that may be growing above the tank. The roots clog the drain or even crack the tank.

5. Check the tank regularly for any signs of leaks in the plumbing. Ensure that you get it repaired immediately.

Damages are unavoidable, but do make sure that you opt for a good contractor for the job. With a little effort you will find one. You can check the internet for the names of a few contactors. Even if there are no repairs, you can contact these contractors for the maintenance of your tank.

It is advisable that you get an estimate of how much the entire job will cost you. Do not opt for the first contractor you come across.

Do you need a contractor for septic tank maintenance, Atlanta? You could contact RooterPlus for more details.

Source by Orson Dixon

A blocked drain can be a big inconvenience to any home owner or building manager. Once there are blocked drains in the premises, the water in the sinks and showers drains slowly. The water in the toilet may come up when flushing and there may be an overflow in the gully. You may also get a foul smell coming from the drains since the water is held up and does not flow continuously. The services of a skilled plumber come in handy once you have blocked drains – one who will diagnose the problem accurately and fix it properly. There are a variety of things that can cause your drains to get blocked.

Grease

When washing dishes, fats and grease normally find their way down the kitchen sink. The grease does not go down the drain with the water but instead sticks to the inside of the pipes. The grease accumulates over time and as a result, you will experience blocked drains. This problem can be avoided by ensuring that you do not pour greasy substances down the sink. You can instead allow the grease to cool and become a solid, and then scrape it off and throw it away in the garbage.

Greenery

During autumn, leaves fall off the trees and can easily accumulate in the pipes resulting in blocked drains. It is, therefore, important to ensure that leaves are collected from your premises and disposed of properly in the garbage. Roots of trees are also a source of blocked drains. Roots are normally attracted to moisture and will move towards the pipes which carry the waste water. They will then crack the pipes in order to get to the water. When this happens, the drains are obstructed by the roots and will therefore block.

Foreign Items

You can experience blocked drains due to foreign items getting into the drainage pipes and accumulating there. Items like soap and jewelry can go down the sinks while sanitary items can be flushed down the toilet thus blocking the drains. Hair also gets drained into the pipes easily and can accumulate causing a blockage. It is, therefore, important to have traps in your sinks to ensure that foreign items do not go down the drain. Only tissue paper should be flushed down the toilet and other sanitary items and objects should be disposed of in the garbage.

Vents

As water is drained away from the pipes, air rushes in to take its place from vents. As long as there is enough air, the water and waste will drain properly from the pipes. Insufficient air from the vents will result in accumulation of the waste water and therefore a blockage will occur. You should, therefore, ensure that the vent on the roof is free from any blockage.

Slopes

The slope of the drain pipe also affects how effectively the waste flows into the main sewer line. A slope that is too steep will cause water to rush down fast thus leaving waste behind, and after some time the accumulation of waste will block the pipe. On the other hand, if the slope is too gentle, the waste and water will not drain off completely and will accumulate in the pipes thus causing blocked drains.

Source by James Hasapis

A blocked drain are created by a blockage in a drain pipe connected to your home through your bathrooms, toilets, laundry & kitchen.

The most common cause of drain becoming clogged are from large objects being flushed. Drains are not designed to cope with large object including:

• Sanitary Products
• Baby Wipes
• Toilet Deodorant block holders
• Etc…

Other causes of blockages are Tree Roots. Tree roots find their way through into pipes through the crack or joints of pipes & through breaks in the pipe wall.

What are the signs or symptoms?

There are many different causes of blockages. The most common symptoms or signs include:

• Water is filling up in the shower. Only after you get out of the shower you notice the water starting to retreat.
• The toilet seems to continue to fill up and takes a while for the water levels to draw back to normal
• Your getting some bad smells & odours wafting through the house, kitchen, bathrooms or laundry

There are also many causes of drainpipes becoming clogged up. Some of the most common symptoms of signs of a blocked drain pipe include

• The water level is growing when you run the tap in the sink. You come back a few minutes later and notice the water levels on starting to drop
• You flush the toilet however the waste does not disappear. You come back several minutes later to notice the water levels have only gone down by half
• You look outside only to notice there is an overflow

Recommendations for a Plumber for people living in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

There are many good plumbers in Melbourne that are more than capable of assisting you properly without breaking the bank.

I suggest you check the plumber out before you give them a call as proper insight into your problem & the solution needed can potentially save you thousands in future plumbing bills.

If you are experiencing blocked drains or blocked sewers & are looking for an affordable plumber in Melbourne, I would have to recommend you give O’Shea Plumbing a try.

Source by Leigh Walker

The look and design of a bathroom is almost always the top priority when remodelling a bathroom. The main consideration is usually the decor with matching tiles and fittings or vanity units. However, a clean, hygienic and well-designed toilet not only looks appealing but also allows the optimum utilisation of space. After the kitchen, the toilet and bathroom are the most frequently used areas in the house hence the demand for attention to its design.

Today, several choices of toilets are available in the market. Beginning with corner toilets, wall hung toilets, one and two piece toilets and back to wall toilets. Among the many varieties, the back to wall toilet style is favoured by many and is ideal for compact houses and apartments. These types of toilets have a concealed cistern behind the wall or a cabinet and are either floor or wall mounted. Before purchasing one of these popular toilets, lets discuss the pros and cons of back to wall toilets.

Pros of Back to Wall Toilets

Sleek & Slim: Installing these toilets produces an aesthetically pleasing bathroom with their elegant clean lines and hidden cistern. The toilets are fitted up to a false wall or cabinet that hides the cistern and plumbing. The cabinet usually matches the interior decor and continues the bathroom theme. A variety of designs are available with contemporary and modern styles available in the market to suit individual tastes.

Space: Less space is required to fit a back to wall toilet as they are shorter in length due to their hidden cistern which is installed behind the wall. Their shorter length makes them ideal for small bathrooms, ensuites or under-stair toilets. Back to wall toilets can also be wall mounted, which require even less space and are easier to clean.

Ergonomics: The design of back to wall toilets make them aesthetically pleasing as well as very comfortable. As this type of toilet can be wall hung, they can be adjusted to the perfect height for the user, making it easy to use.

Cons of Back to Wall Toilets

Expensive: Compared to traditional toilets, these toilets are more expensive due to them being produced in lower numbers. In addition, they also require additional work to install which will increase the installation cost, as well as requiring a wall mounting kit.

Installation & Repair: If separate access to the concealed cistern is not created during installation, it will be very difficult to maintain or repair in the future. A separate panel access may increase the cost of overall fitting.

Besides, the little extra work required to install the toilet and cistern, back to wall toilets are an increasingly popular trend and are extremely popular in high-class establishments and homes. Fitting one in the home will not only enhance the style of the bathroom but could also help to increase the house value.

Source by A R Mitchell

A modern office, no matter how small, needs a quality sanitary disposal unit in its female washrooms. As most people are now aware, feminine hygiene products should never be flushed down the toilet – they don’t biodegrade easily and can end up in our rivers (environmentally unfriendly) or can block the plumbing (expensive!). Which means that it’s essential that every business provides a safe, convenient alternate method of disposal.

So what should you look for?

There are three main things to bear in mind when you’re choosing a sanitary disposal bin.

1. How does it work?

Some sanitary bins contain a sealed liner and can be disposed of by onsite cleaners. Others require a sanitary bin disposal service to remove the entire unit on a regular basis and replace with a fresh, sanitised bin. In this case, waste is disposed of through a specialist company, expert in contaminated waste treatment.

Some companies use Sanitary Disposal Units that contain extra strong granules. As sanitary towels and tampons are dropped into the bin, they are enveloped in a powerful sterilising vapour, which destroys germs and eliminates unpleasant odours. Containers are regularly exchanged, ensuring your washroom remains sanitary and hygienic.

2. What does it look like?

A sanitary waste disposal unit should fit discreetly into your washrooms. Always measure the space you have allotted for your unit to ensure it will fit before you order. The size of a sanitary bin depends on the bins used by a specific service company. For example, the sanitary disposal units that a leading hygiene services company uses measure 610mm x 170mm x 310mm. This size makes the sanitary bins sturdy, slimline and user friendly.

3. What service terms is the company offering?

Check with the sanitary bin service company to find out how often the units should be serviced. You’re looking for a discreet, reliable and regular service, conducted by a professional hygiene servicing company.

Source by Janelle Golding

In plumbing, the term ‘waste’ refers to the tube which is fixed at the base of a sink, basin or sanitary device (such as toilet or bidet). This tube is made of metal and allows waste water to run through it, via a trap, and then into a drain, while also acting as a barrier to possible blockages.

The top of the waste is called the shoulder or flange and this is the metal part you see in the plughole, the finish on the flange will usually match the finish on the taps of the basin.

Wastes are made to standard sizes in order to fit any basin waste hole and usually come supplied with a specific type of plug, stopper or grill. Bathroom sinks usually have a waste diameter of 32mm (1.25″) while baths, showers and kitchen sinks will usually be 40mm (1.5″).

There are a number of different types of waste available for sinks and basins, the pop up waste is just one type.

Pop-up wastes

A pop-up waste, or pop up assembly, refers to the type of pipe fitting that joins a sink, basin or bidet to a waste pipe at the plughole. They incorporate a plug or stopper which is operated with a control. You may also find pop-up wastes in other sanitary appliances.

The control on the pop up waste is usually a lever you pull or a knob you turn. It is often found behind or on the tap fixture, or it may be attached to the overflow which is usually below the tap, in the basin. To operate the pop-up stopper, the lever is pulled up to close the plug and pushed down to open it, or the knob is turned one way to open and the other to close.

Other waste systems

Plug and chain wastes are a traditional style of waste with a plug connected to a chain that can be used to block the plug hole.

Clicker wastes have a stopper that is operated by pushing it. You push once to close it and push again to open it, and so it does not have a separate control like the pop-up waste. This waste can also be referred to as the push button waste, click-clack waste or sprung plug.

Flip top wastes have a simple design has a disc-shaped stopper that can be rotated to open or close the plug hole.

Captive wastes have a plug that sits on a bar and remains in the plughole. It is pulled up to open or pushed down to close. This type of waste is fairly common in public bathrooms as the plug cannot be removed.

Basket strainer wastes are common in kitchen sinks as it has a strainer which will prevent food and other waste from blocking the drain of the sink by collecting it before it can pass through the waste. The basket stopper in this waste can be operated in a similar way to the pop-up waste, with a control to lift and lower it, or it can simply be pulled in and out.

Flush grated wastes are common in showers or sinks where the waste water needs to continuously flow away, as these wastes do not fit a plug or stopper.

Slotted wastes or unslotted wastes?

Most wastes will be available in both slotted and unslotted forms. The type of waste you need will depend on whether the basin has an overflow built-in it or not. The overflow of a sink assists with drainage as it allows air into the drain when the sink is full. A sink without an overflow will act like a vacuum when full and will drain slower, therefore if you do have a built in overflow it is a good idea to ensure it is working correctly. Most sinks will have a built-in overflow; these will require slotted wastes. This is so that when the water passes through the overflow it can flow through the holes into the drain. It is important to ensure the slots of the waste line up with the overflow so the water can run efficiently. Unslotted wastes do not have any holes and should only be installed into systems without an overflow.

Source by Lori Jones

The history of plumbing needs to start with where the word plumbing originated from. The word plumbing came from the Latin word plumbum which means lead. The word plumbing refers to the pipes and fixtures for the distribution of water and gas, and the disposal of sewage. 

The first sewers were built in Rome between 800 B.C. and 735 B.C., before the first aqueduct was built approximately 500 years earlier. The Cloaca Maxima is one of the largest of the ancient sewers and is still being used. It was designed and constructed to carry off the surface water, and to provide drainage for the entire city. Disposing of sewage has been an issue even since the earliest of times. Disease was being transmitted through water and waste because of ignorance. Science then would play a large part in finding ways to dispose of sewage and waste that would not make people ill. The history of plumbing in America began when New World settlers would copy the Indians methods of discharging  waste and refuse in running water, open fields, shrubs or forests.

They also tossed the garbage and waste out their front doors and windows onto the street where the hogs and scavengers would dispose of the garbage. It was not very sanitary. Thankfully, the United States would set standards in health and safety.  The lead craftsman, blacksmith, tool maker, tin and sheet-iron worker were the first “plumbers”.  In current times a plumber is necessary to unclog drains that are backed up, to repair leaks in pipes, and to construct the pipes for buildings.

They are also skilled to construct different styles of showers, replacement of garbage disposals, etc. A primitive bathroom would be,  a chamber pot placed by the early colonist in with other crockery items and tinware. The term commode was used to disguise its use. The term commode is still used as another name for the bathroom, or toilet.  Latrines, out houses, etc. would eventually evolve to what our bathrooms are today. 

Plumbers need education, training and need to need to gain experience as an apprentice for at least four or five years, before they can be qualified as a “plumber”.  A qualified plumber may be a contractor for a company or he can own his own company. 

Source by Dave Gorski

Many often do not think much of plumber and plumber services. This is due to many reasons such as the low prestige of the trade or the infrequent need of and contact with the plumber. However, they provide a valuable service to society, allowing us to enjoy the comfort of our environment with a well functioning plumbing system.

While simple leaks in faucets can be address to by homeowners ourselves, leaks or burst in our pipes especially concealed ones often must be left to a professional plumber. With their wealth of knowledge and advance equipments, they can ensure that the affected area is fully repaired so that your home plumbing system is functioning well again.

Besides leaks or bursting, installation of pipes in homes must also be done by a plumber as we will not have the know-how to do so. Without a plumber, we will not have the pleasure of clean running water and enjoy the basic sanitary pleasures we are so used to enjoy today. Imagine how backward we will become without them, having to draw water from wells for our daily usage. Any home owners facing a stubborn clogged drain, choked basin or toilet bowl can testified to the importance of a plumber in their life. Imagine the stink caused by a choked toilet bowl or the situation of not being able to take a shower; one can easily guess how frustrated one can be. A plumber with their variety of useful tools can quickly rectify these problems and ensure everything run smoothly for us again.

What’s more, there may be instances when we drop something valuable or with high sentimental values such as jewellery into our drain. Who else can we turn to help us retrieve these items? Only a plumber will be able to help us do so without making a mess of drainage system. Thus, from the above, you can see the importance of plumber and plumbing services in our daily life. So next time you engage a plumber, remember the valuable service they bring to our society and how they can help us solve problems which we can’t deal with ourselves.

If you ever need plumbers in Singapore to help you, here is one reliable plumber in Singapore I recommend.

Source by Joe Kam