Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Plumbing’

How to Reduce Your Water Usage with Your Bathroom Remodel

Monday, January 6th, 2014

If you’ve thought about remodeling your bathroom, perhaps you haven’t considered that this is an ideal time to also find ways to cut down on your water usage. At Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc., we take pride in our work with plumbing and bathroom remodeling in Orlando, FL. Call us to make your remodeling into a water-savings project as well.

Methods to reduce water usage during a remodel

  • Install low flow fixtures and faucets: Faucets with the WaterSense label can reduce a sink’s water use by up to 30%, with no noticeable reduction in their effectiveness. During your remodel, you can have all the faucets, including the showerhead, replaces with WaterSense certified products, which can add up to a tremendous savings on your water bills—all without you noticing much of a difference.
  • Replace your old toilet with a low-flow model: Chances are high that if you plan a full redesign of your bathroom, you’ll want to have the old toilet ripped out and a new model put in. Low-flow toilets were once inefficient, but the current “gravity assist” models are tremendous improvements, and according to a number of top water conservations they can save you as much as $100 annually in utility costs.

Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. has both remodeling and plumbing specialists on staff, so you can rest assured you are getting the best service possible. You’ll also have the assurance we’ll work diligently so you get the remodel you want with the plumbing benefits that go with it. Call us today to start planning your bathroom remodel in Orlando, FL.

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The Best Options for Cleaning Your Drain

Monday, December 30th, 2013

Every homeowner can expect to experience a drain clog or a slow drain now and then; the pipes and drains in your home can’t handle everything that goes down them, so eventually you will have to deal with getting a drain unblocked. However, if drain clogging starts to happen to you frequently, then you may need to call in a professional drain cleaning service instead of fixing it on your own.

Scheduling regular drain cleaning will not only help you avoid clogs in the future, it will also lead to smoothly running plumbing and lower water pressure. With the right maintenance from an experienced company like Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc., you can get rid of those unpleasant drain clogs.

Here are some options for cleaning your drain:

  • Not chemical drain cleaners: This first one is a negative. Most people are quick to reach for a bottle of commercial drain cleaner when they want to clean out clogged drains. However, these caustic chemicals can harm both your drains and you. They leave behind toxic fumes and harm the environment because the residue inside the bottles gets into landfills. These inexpensive cleaners seem like an easy way out, but you will only create far worse problems in the future.
  • Motorized drain snakes: Drain snakes are commercially available in manual models, but you should only rely on trained technicians who use powered drain snakes. A drain snake works like a long, flexible corkscrew that maneuvers down into your drain pipes, drills into clogs, and then clears them away.
  • Hydro-jetting: Hydro jets are powered devices that blast hot, high pressure water down into drains to scrub away grease, oil, and other deposits that can pollute the inside of drainpipes. The strength and heat of the water is effective at removing most drain clogging without damaging the inside of the pipes.  Because of the potential danger of high-pressure water, only trained plumbers should perform hydro-jetting.
  • Video pipe inspections: Sometimes it is difficult to know where a drain needs targeted cleaning. In these cases, professionals with video pipe cameras on long flexible cables can find the trouble without needing to open up pipes or remove floorboards, wall sections, or fixtures. Using this technology, plumbers can find fast solutions to your drain cleaning problems.

Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. offers a customized maintenance plan to our customers that adapts to your needs and budget. Get on the road to a cleaner, more efficient, and more durable plumbing system with Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc.

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How a Plumber Pinpoints a Leak

Monday, December 23rd, 2013

If you’re a plumber in Orlando, you have to handle your share of leaks. They’re easily the most common plumbing problem in Central Florida, and if they’re not addressed, they can cause some serious damage to your home. Large leaks are fairly easy to detect – you simply look for the puddles – and can be spotted before you call in a plumbing service. Other methods are more subtle, however, and usually require professional skills. Here’s a quick list of how a plumber pinpoints a leak.

  • Leak detection equipment. Most plumbers use some form of leak detector, which utilizes one of a variety of means to pinpoint a leak. Some are acoustic, listening to micro-shifts in sound to spot the leak. Others use lengths of tape wrapped around the pipe to detect moisture, or sensors running along the length of the pipe to spot the leak. Whatever the technology, it becomes an invaluable tool in the plumber’s arsenal: able to detect leaks fairly quickly and save considerable time in the bargain.
  • Food coloring. Food coloring is a quick and easy trick to detect the location of leaks in toilets. The plumber simply drips a few drops into the tank and follows where they go. Unfortunately, this method is much less effective with other forms of plumbing, though it can still be used in some cases.
  • Careful examination. In some cases, a trained eye is still the best tool. Plumbers know how to look for telltale signs like discolored metal indicating rust or corrosion. Rotted wood near the leak, water stains on the ceiling or floor and key problem locations such as seals or fittings are also good indicators of the source of a leak. Laymen can spot such signs too, but professionals have more experience in the subject and know what signs to look for.

Knowing how a plumber pinpoints a leak isn’t the same as pinpointing a leak yourself. Trust a professional to do the job right and make sure your leaky pipe gets fixed properly the first time. If you’re looking for a plumber in Orlando, turn to the experts at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. We’re dedicated to your complete satisfaction and our trained staff won’t rest until your problem is solved.

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The Lead Free Mandate and How it Affects You

Thursday, December 12th, 2013

The New Year is a time of fresh beginnings and resolutions. And this year, 2014 will bring a significant change in the laws that affect your fresh drinking water. We at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. would like to share with you what the lead free mandate covers and what it will mean for you.

The Lead Free Mandate

On January 4, 2014, the Federal Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act, originally signed on January 11, 2011, will go into effect. Also known as the “lead-free mandate,” it marks a major change in the definition of lead free in plumbing that is far stricter than current Federal requirements. A number of states—specifically California and Vermont—have already enacted tighter regulations on lead content in plumbing, and this is what originally prompted drafting a new law on the Federal level.

What exactly does the law entail?

The Federal Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act amends Section 1417 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) of 1986, which limited the use of lead pipes, plumbing fittings or fixtures, solder and flux that did not fit the definition of lead free. The current definition of lead free by the SDWA (1996 amended) is “not more than a weighted average of 8.0% lead.” The new law alters this so that lead free is now defined as “not more than a weighted average of 0.25% lead when used with respect to the wetted surfaces of pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and fixtures.” A product that meets this requirement can be called “lead free”.

What kind of plumbing does this affect?

The term wetted parts refers to meters, expansion tanks, backflow preventers, flexible connectors, strainers, and assorted gauges, fittings, valves, etc. Essentially, any product used to convey water anticipated for human consumption, i.e. “potable water.” This doesn’t mean that all existing pipes need to be replaced, but that “any part used in the repair… must meet the new definition of lead free.” So any new parts used to make repairs to the plumbing that carries your drinking water after January 4 of next year must contain less than 0.25% lead.

Why is the reduction of lead beneficial?

The presence of lead in drinking water has potentially harmful effects. Lead has been linked to developmental delays in children and high blood pressure and kidney problems in adults.  The EPA identifies brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and fixtures as the main source of lead entering into drinking water. Reducing the amount of lead allowed in plumbing from 8% to 0.25% marks a major improvement in reducing lead content.

Who enforces this law?

The EPA is responsible for implementation, but actual enforcement will rest on the state level, which in turn will pass it on to cities, towns, and municipalities, which use health and plumbing codes to drive enforcement. Contractors who fail to comply with the new law will face fines or lawsuits.

You can trust to Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. to implement this new law into all our work. The job we do on your plumbing will be compliant with the new mandate so that you will have the lowest amount of lead content in your pipes as possible, whether for your home or your business. For more information about our Orlando area plumbing services, call 407-327-6000 today!

More information available at:

http://water.epa.gov/drink/info/lead/

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Does Gurgling and Hissing Mean It’s Time to Call for Plumbing Repair?

Monday, December 9th, 2013

The plumbing in your home will occasionally make odd noises, such as pinging and knocking sounds. Many of these are innocuous, and if they don’t occur regularly they usually aren’t anything to worry about. However, there are some noises that indicate serious problems developing in your plumbing. You need to summon an experienced plumber to look into the sound and find out what’s causing it—and how to fix it.

When you are looking for quality plumbing repair in Orlando, FL, call Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. We’ve served central Florida with excellent plumbing service since 1975, and we will answer your needs 24 hours a day.

What does that gurgling sound mean?

When you hear gurgling from your drains soon after running water down into them, it usually indicates a bad clog starting to develop—even if your sink still seems to be draining fine. What’s occurring out of your sight is that an accumulation of oil, grease, hair, dirt, or other obstructions has trapped air, which is then bubbling up through the water that is stopped above the clog and draining slowly through it. You may not see the water backing up from the drain yet, but you soon will if you do nothing to fix the problem. Use a plunger to try to clear out the clog. If the gurgling sound continues, you need to contact a plumber to remove the clog using a powered drain snake, hydro-jetters, or other professional methods. (Don’t use chemical drain cleaners; they can damage your pipes.)

What about that hissing noise?

If you hear hissing sounds coming from your plumbing, you may have trouble with high pressure inside the pipes. This might mean overheating in the hot water tank. High pressure will quickly become a problem because it will start leaks throughout the plumbing. In fact, leaks probably already have sprung in spots you can’t see. This requires immediate professional attention; plumbers will need to find the reason for the increase in pressure and stop it, and then locate whatever leaks have occurred and seal them. Leaking is hazardous for your plumbing and the building material of your home, so remedy it as soon as you can.

Rely on professional plumbers

The only sort of plumbing repairs you should attempt on your own are the simplest of fixes, like using a plunger for easy clogs. Attempting amateur fixes can lead to damage to your pipes that require even more expensive repairs, and on their own will likely cause the very leaks you are trying to stop.

When you hear gurgling or hissing noises from your plumbing, make the wise move and call for a plumber. Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. is ready to help you with your plumbing repair in Orlando, FL.

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3 Reasons People Opt for Bathroom Remodeling

Monday, November 25th, 2013

Is it time to remodel your bathroom? And we don’t mean a cosmetic remodeling: new cabinets, shower curtains, drapes, and towel holders. We mean a full remodeling of your bathroom’s plumbing, water heater, sink, faucets, shower fixtures, etc. It sounds like an immense task—and it does involve a great amount of precision labor—but you will find it much easier with a professional remodeling company handling the bulk of the work. Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. can guide you through the process, step by step, starting with fixture and faucet selection. Contact us today to start your Orlando, FL bathroom remodeling.

Here are three reasons people decide to have a full bathroom remodel done:

  1. Greater water efficiency: Low-flow water faucets and sinks can provide tremendous savings on water bills. According to studies by the EPA, low-flow faucets can reduce a sink’s water flow by 30% or more, going from 2.2 gallons per minute to 1.5 gallons per minute. The average family can save 700 gallons of water per year, which is equal to the water used in 40 showers. The lower water flow will also reduce the stress on water heaters. You can also have a low-flow toilet installed to increase the savings.
  2. Upgrade outdated, worn down plumbing: For people living in an older house, the plumbing in the bathroom might be made from outdated material that is coming near the end of its service life. A full repiping of old corroded pipes will give less trouble from leaking and provide an extended life for all the plumbing.
  3. Change the layout: Altering the layout of the bathroom allows the installation of a new shower or bathtub. It can also supply more space.

When you make the choice to remodel your bathroom, you need to speak to a professional remodeler to discuss your priorities. This way, the remodeler will know where to focus his or her efforts. Are you primarily interested in water savings? Do you want to benefit from a new water jet bathtub? The professional will weigh all these considerations and come up with a design that fits your needs.

At Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc., we go to great lengths to work with you coming up with a design for your bathroom remodel that will live up to the high standards you set. We will involve you in the process at every step, so you will see that we’re creating the bathroom you always wanted.

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Different Types of Drain Snakes

Monday, November 11th, 2013

When people think of trying to clear out drain clogs on their own, three methods come to mind: the plunger, the liquid drain cleaner, and the drain snake. The first is generally a safe way to get rid of a clogged drain, and does an effective job of eliminating minor blockages. The second is an absolute “don’t.” The chemicals in store-bought drain cleaners can harm your pipes and they are also highly toxic and can leave fumes in your home that you definitely don’t want there.

The third, the drain snake (also known as a drain auger), is the best way to clear out clogs, especially tougher ones a plunger can’t affect. However, there are different types of drain snakes and you should trust to professionals, like the skilled staff at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc., to handle operating them. For a plumber in Winter Park, FL who can fix your drain clog troubles, contact us right away.

The different kinds of drain snakes professional plumbers use

  • Manual cable drain snakes: This is the basic kind of auger; it’s essentially a corkscrew that a plumber manually turns to make the opposite end of the cable drill into the clog. Then the plumber reverses the motion to pull the clog out.
  • Flat tape snakes: Similar to a cable snake, but much flatter and capable of fitting into smaller pipes less than 2” in diameter. Sometimes they are used to push a clog through rather than pull it out.
  • Power snakes: These snakes don’t rely on manual power, but are hooked to motors. The operation is essentially the same as a standard cable snake, except they can handle far tougher clogs.
  • Toilet closet snakes: These are designed specifically for toilet clogs, and can be either manual or powered. They have extremely flexible cables capable of navigating toilet plumbing.

Get professional assistance

You can purchase drains snakes—either manual or motor-powered—through hardware stores and numerous websites. However, if you find that you can’t clear a clog using a plunger, you shouldn’t rely on the drain snake, especially a powered one. Instead, get a trained plumber with the best drain auger equipment available so you won’t risk damaging your plumbing.

Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. has served Central Florida with expert plumbing since 1975. Trust us, there isn’t a drain clog we haven’t encountered before, and we have all the tools necessary to clear whatever blockage is plaguing your drains. For a plumber in Winter Park, FL who can solve your troubles, give us a call.

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Plumbing Question: What Is a Mixing Valve?

Monday, October 28th, 2013

You use running water in your home every day. When you reach for the knobs or handle that controls the flow of water into a sink, shower, or bathtub, you have the option to get cold or hot water, or a blend of both. You probably know the exact combination of the two that’s the most pleasant for you. But did you know that there’s a hidden mechanism in your plumbing to make certain that you don’t get an unpleasant surprise of extremely hot water every time you turn on a faucet? It’s called the mixing valve, and without it your daily supply of water could become dangerous.

The term “mixing valve” has the general application of meaning any device in plumbing that controls the mix of hot and cold water to provide a comfortable temperature. In most cases, a mixing valve isn’t designed simply to provide comfort; it serves as a safety mechanism that will keep you from accidental scalding due to high temperatures.

The danger of scalding water from your plumbing exists because water in a home needs to be stored at high temperatures to prevent bacterial growth. Without the regulation of a mixing valve, this water might flow from your showerhead, bath faucet, or sink and cause you injury. A central thermostatic mixing valve works automatically to prevent this from occurring. The valve’s thermostat is preset so that it will close a plunger and stop the supply of hot water if the cold water pressure experiences a sudden drop. As long as the mixing valve is working correctly, you won’t have to fear getting extremely hot water when you turn a faucet handle.

Central mixing valves operate without the user having to do anything. There are some manual mixing valves that can be installed in kitchens and bathrooms. However, these do not provide the same guarantee against very hot water that a central mixing valve does, so your home should still have a thermostatic mixing valve installed to prevent accidental scalding.

Because a mixing valve is important for protecting you and your family—whether showering, cleaning dishes, or washing your hands—you need to take good care of your plumbing. Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) offers excellent maintenance plans; an annual visit from one of our experts in plumbing in Orlando, FL will alleviate your worries. Contact us today.

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How Much Water Does My Toilet Use?

Monday, October 21st, 2013

Of the items that run water in your house, the toilet uses a high volume of water; in general, the bathroom is the place in your home that will use the most amount of water. Your toilet quite a lot of water each time it is used. The amount, however, varies depending on the type. More recent designs have a lower flow, while older ones can use up to four times as much water. And when it comes to a malfunctioning toilet, the waste of water can be enormous.

Conserving water is important for our environment and for your budget. We’re going to explain how much water your toilet might use so you can think about how to conserve, and also why getting repairs is so important. When you need to call a plumber in Orlando, FL, get on the phone with Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI).

A modern low-flow toilet uses about one 1¼ gallons per flush. According to the EPA, older models can use between 3½ to 7 gallons. As a comparison, a running faucet uses about 2 gallons per minute, so a single flush on one of these older models is approximately equivalent to running a faucet for anywhere from two to four minutes.

If your toilet starts to run without stopping, the amount of water it uses will leap up to extremely wasteful levels. A running toilet can waste up to 2 gallons a minute. That means that if you let it run for two hours, it will use 120 gallons of water! Even a leaky toilet is extremely wasteful, with the EPA estimating a use of 200 gallons per day. You don’t want to pay bills for that kind of drain on the water supply, so make sure you see to the problem right away, and get a plumber to help you if you can’t solve it on your own.

Make sure that you aren’t wasting water. Aside from unnecessary flushes, see that your toilet isn’t leaking or running without stop. With an older model, you might consider upgrading to a low-flow toilet with the government WaterSense label. Get in contact with Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) for a plumber in Orlando, FL who can offer you the advice and repairs you need to make the bathroom in your home more water conservation friendly.

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Hard Water and Its Impact on Your Plumbing System

Monday, October 7th, 2013

The term “hard water” often baffles people unfamiliar with chemistry or plumbing. You hear it often, but what does it actually mean?

The simplest explanation of hard water is that it’s water with higher than normal mineral content, usually calcium-based minerals. The most common minerals found in hard water are magnesium and calcium, although a variety of other minerals such as gypsum also occur. Under most conditions, hard water poses no health risks to drink. It can make it difficult to create decent soap lather; it tends to create soap scum instead, and this is the most immediate effect of hard water that homeowners notice.

However, hard water has a more serious danger than simply making it more difficult to get a good tub full of suds. The minerals in hard water will have a harmful effect on your plumbing. Hard water can do damage to your pipes that lead to problematic and expensive repairs unless dealt with. The water treatment specialists at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. have solutions for hard water trouble with your plumbing in Orlando, FL. If you have questions, concerns, or want to schedule water treatment system installation, contact us.

The main difficulty hard water can cause for your plumbing is a build-up of “scale,” which are deposits of calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, and calcium sulfate. (You can see why somebody invented a simpler name for this.) Scale will start to restrict water flow in your pipes. This can turn into an especially serious problem if you use a boiler, since the increased pressure can cause the boiler to overheat.

Because hard water encourages the creation of soap scum, build-up can lead to clogs. Hard water will also increase corrosion that will weaken pipes and make them susceptible to leaking and breaks.

There are a number of ways to combat hard water. One of the best is to have a reverse osmosis system installed to separate the minerals out of your water. There are also DI resin cartridges and a variety of filters that will help. Call in water treatment specialists to test your water supply and recommend a remedy for your hard water troubles.

Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. is one of your best options for professional work on your plumbing in Orlando, FL. We offer 24-hour emergency service, so call us any time.

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