All About Bathtub Overflow Drains From Your Plumbing Company
Thursday, April 27th, 2023
A bathroom is an important area in your home. Unfortunately, most homeowners do not see this as a critical component for the functionality of their home. Even though its importance is not apparent, your bathroom facilitates a comfortable place where you brace yourself to go out and conquer the world. It also welcomes you home, where you can enjoy a hot bath and unburden yourself from the day’s troubles. However, some components must be operating efficiently to offer this luxury. These components need the necessary care from a plumbing company expert for you to use them appropriately. For example, many homeowners are unaware of how an overflow drain works and its purpose.
What is an Overflow Drain?
An overflow drain in a bathtub is a small essential component that serves crucial functions, such as helping you regulate the water level and preventing water spillage, causing the bathroom to flood. A bathtub overflow drain is located near the top of your bathtub and thus serves as a safety feature. It is connected to a small pipe under your tub and your home’s central drain system. The pipes help dispose of the excess water from your bathtub to the drain system, which transports it outside your home.
Why are Overflow Drains Important for Your Bathtub?
Enjoying a comfortable bath depends on your bathtub holding a given amount of water. When the water exceeds this level, it overflows to your bathroom floor, causing flooding. Consequently, if your bathroom drain is blocked or the water level spillage is too much, this can result in water damage to essential parts of your home. Therefore, a bathtub overflow drain helps to prevent you from this eventuality and maintain the structural integrity of your home. It allows excess water in your bathtub to escape through the drain, into the pipe, and outside your home through the drainage system. Apart from being a security feature to protect your home against water damage, an overflow drain will help empty some water during a bath. For example, if you want to add hot water to the bathtub, an overflow drain enables you to empty the water without having to drain the entire bathtub. Therefore, you will comfortably add the hot water and enjoy a relaxing shower.
How Did the Bathtub Drain Come to Be?
The first bathtub overflow drain was invented in the late 19th century. At the time, bathtubs were large and inconvenient, taking up considerable space in most bathrooms. Due to their nature, the bathtubs did not have a way to dispose of water, and during a bath, the excess water would spill onto the floor. Therefore, they would ruin the bathrooms’ comfort, dryness, and cleanliness. The bathtub overflow drain was invented to keep this from happening and keep the bathroom dry and clean.
Choosing a Bathtub with an Overflow Drain
Are you looking for a new bathtub for your home? The first step in knowing the ideal bathtub is consulting a plumbing company. Since they have been in the market, the technician will know the best bathtubs available. In addition, the technician will investigate your bathroom’s design and structure, thus advising which bathtub will suit your home best. Additionally, it is best to consider the type of overflow drain incorporated in the bathtub for maximum comfort during baths. Two main overflow drain types are available in the market; the surface mounted and integral overflow drain.
Types of Overflow Drains
Surface Mounted Overflow Drain
The surface-mounted integral drain is mounted on the outside of a bathtub. Although they are more visible and noticeable around your bathroom, the surface-mounted overflow drain is easy to clean due to its accessibility.
Integral Overflow Drains
Unlike the surface-mounted overflow drain on the outside of a bathtub, an integral overflow drain is incorporated into the bathtub. Therefore, they are usually hidden from the surface and hence not easily seen. Since they are more hidden than the surface-mounted overflow drain, they are more challenging to access and clean. Therefore, they mostly need a plumber to clean and unclog them in case of a blockage.
When looking for a bathtub, it is best to consider the style of the overflow drain and its design. This will help you get a tub that fits into your home aesthetics and maintain the functionality and safety of your bathroom.
What are the Benefits of a Bathtub Overflow Drain?
When looking for a bathtub, a plumbing company professional will help you find the right fit for your home. The bathtub will have an overflow drain that will offer you advantages such as the following;
Enhancing Bathroom Safety
An overflow drain helps keep your bathroom dry, eliminating the risk of sliding and falling after your bath. This prevents fractures and other dangers that result from bathroom falls.
Preventing Water Damage
A bathtub overflow drain prevents water spillage, which can cause bathroom flooding. Therefore, it facilitates keeping your bathroom and hence your home dry.
Energy Efficiency
An overflow drain is essential for keeping only the water in your bathtub. Therefore, it helps conserve water by eliminating the need for frequent water additions after spillage. Frequent hot water additions can be energy intensive, resulting in skyrocketed energy bills. Therefore, an overflow drain is both energy-efficient and eco-friendly.
Convenience
Choosing a bathtub with the guidance of a plumbing company professional provides the convenience of not having to monitor the water level as you bathe. Since you are sure that the overflow drain will dispose of any excess water, you can relax and enjoy your bath without the worry of spillage.
Ensure Your Bathtub Overflow Drain is Clear
An overflow drain is vital to the safety of your home and those in it. It will help you eliminate water spillage and, thus, the danger of slipping that comes with it. Therefore, contact us at My Professional Plumber for a consultation to choose an ideal tub for your home.
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Features To Consider When Buying A Hot Water Tap And How A Plumber Can Help
Hot water taps are no longer a luxury but a practical and energy-saving solution you can consider in your home. They are faster, more efficient, easier to use, and have excellent safety features that make them stand out. Whether you want a cup of tea, coffee, or just plain hot water, hot water taps make it easy to access hot water whenever needed. However, choosing the right hot water tap can be challenging because of the variety of available options. In this blog, we delve into the features you should consider when buying a hot water tap and how a plumber can make the selection process easier.
How Does Hot Water Tap Work?
Have you ever wondered how hot water taps work? Well, it’s quite simple. Hot water taps are connected to your home’s plumbing and are heated by a small tank or through on-demand heating systems. As you turn the tap, cold water flows into the tank or heating system, quickly heating to the desired temperature. The hot water flows out of the tap and into your glass or bathtub easily. With hot water taps, you no longer have to wait for water to heat up on the stove or microwave. It’s hot and ready whenever you need it. So, next time you turn on your hot water tap, appreciate the technology behind it that makes your life much more convenient.
Features to Consider When Choosing a Hot Water Tap
Tap Combinations
Your hot water tap combination is essential when selecting a hot water tap. If you plan to replace your taps instead of adding to them, settling on a multi-functional tap will help free up space around the sink area. These tap combinations include a two-in-one, which can dispense cold and boiling water, and A three-in-one combination, which can dispense boiling water, standard mains hot water, and cold water.
Another tap combination is the four-in-one, which can dispense boiling water, standard mains cold and hot water, and filtered cold water. Depending on your preference that fits your needs, choose a tap combination or consult a professional plumber to help you select the most appropriate and effective one.
Safety Features
Having hot water in your kitchen can sometimes be dangerous, especially if you have children in your home who are used to getting cold water from the tap. That is why it is vital to consider the safety feature that comes with the fixture. Select a hot water tap with safety buttons that make it hard to turn it on unknowingly or by accident, which can be risky to people living in your home.
Some taps come with insulated sides and childproof handles that help minimize hot water accidents and keep the sides from getting hot even when water flows through them. Check on the safety features of the tap before choosing one, or have a professional plumber help you settle on a tap with the required safety features for your home to avoid the worry of people getting burned unknowingly or by accident.
Capacity
The size of the hot water tank determines how much hot water the tap can provide after consecutive uses. How much hot water do you need to dispense from it? If you’re a heavy user, look for a tap with a larger capacity, preferably a 2.5-liter tank or more. If you’re a light user, a 1-liter tank should suffice. Check the capacity of the hot water tank in liters before purchasing a tap.
Temperature Range and Flexibility
The temperature range of the hot water tap is also to be considered when selecting a tap for your kitchen. Many hot water taps come with a temperature range of about 98-99 degrees Celsius though some tap brands accommodate up to 100 degrees Celsius.
People install hot water taps for different reasons, which may also be a determinant when selecting a hot water tap. Have a tap with temperature ranges that can fit your kitchen needs. Consult a professional plumber to clarify the temperature range that fits your kitchen needs.
Flexibility is also a crucial factor when choosing these types of taps. Some hot water tap models have a pull-out flexible hose, which is handy since it can get beyond the sink to fill up the large saucepans. Your tap type should be flexible enough for easy hot water handling.
Design
Hot water taps come in a range of designs and finishes. A well-designed hot water tap blends well with your kitchen’s theme and enhances its overall appearance. When selecting a model, consider the tap’s shape, color, and finish. Some taps have a brushed steel finish, while others have a glossy chrome finish. Choose the one that best complements the aesthetics of your kitchen.
Energy Efficiency
Hot water taps can consume a lot of energy, so look for models that are energy-efficient. Some taps use less energy than others, and some models have a standby mode that enables them to conserve energy when not in use. Check the energy rating of the hot water tap before buying it.
Brand Reputation
Lastly, consider the brand reputation when buying a hot water tap. Look for brands that are well-known for producing high-quality appliances. Read reviews and ratings from other customers who have used the same model you’re considering. This will give you an idea of the performance and reliability of the hot water tap.
We are the Plumbing Experts to Contact
If you are looking for an experienced plumbing professional to install a hot water tap in your home or property, don’t hesitate to contact us at My Professional Plumber. We have the expertise and experience to help you install, maintain, and repair water taps providing excellent services throughout the process. Contact us today for any inquiries about hot water taps or other plumbing issues you may experience, and we will be equipped and ready to serve you with our professional experience.
See our most recent blog on this topic here.
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Stop The Plastic Bottle Chaos With Water Filtration Systems
Are you the weekly chauffeur for a collection of plastic water bottles, bringing them home from the store and then off to the city recycling center later on? Water filtration systems protect your home’s plumbing, and they also produce fresh, tasty, drinkable water your family can enjoy. You select the degree of purification, including reverse osmosis, the technique used by many bottled water companies. If you thought it was decadent to bathe in great-quality water, now you can do that on a routine basis. Keep your life simple and fresh with filtered water straight from the tap! My Professional Plumber can set you up with the system that’s right for your family’s needs.
Enjoy Your Water Enthusiastically
Drinking water, iced tea, and cooking, there are many ways that your water quality is reflected in your daily eating and drinking. City water meets a set of established standards, except, of course, when there are pipe breaks and other disturbances in the supply lines. Many households prefer additional measures to reduce contaminants in their water, including chlorine compounds often introduced in the public water processing system as a health measure. Depending on the sources used for public water, contaminants such as VOCs, agricultural chemicals, and others carried into surface water, and aquifers can be present. It’s not a comfortable feeling knowing that hydrating enthusiastically could increase your exposure to undesirable compounds. With water filtration systems, you have the option to keep it simple, setting your home’s standards for water purity no matter what comes into your water supply line.
The Unending Bottle Battle Can Stop
In order to feel good about what they’re drinking and stay hydrated, many people turn to bottled water. They’re not wrong, either: feeling good because of higher standards is practical and often pays off in the long run. Carrying in cases of bottled water, filtered by reverse osmosis or a natural spring, and returning the plastic bottles to city recycling centers, shows the dedication many families have to get the water they need with a higher level of purity. At My Professional Plumber, we offer an alternative approach with water filtration that supplies your whole home. You might have used the bottle-filling feature present on many public water fountains. Imagine having all your home’s faucets capable of providing similarly delicious water!
Just Ask the Fish
Conscientious aquarium owners know: tap water isn’t great for our underwater friends. Chlorine and chloramine compounds are toxic to fish. While chlorine may evaporate over time if you let it stand for a few days, chloramine compounds endure. If you’ve read up on aquarium care, you may even use bottled water for your fish. Speaking of pets, what do your cats and dogs drink? Even plants do better with filtered water, according to leading home care experts. There is even some thinking that says bottled or distilled water is better for humidifiers, especially in a baby’s room. If you’ve been thinking about using bottled water for any of these purposes, water filtration systems may be especially interesting for you.
What Does Filtration Do?
Our plumbers can use their water quality expertise to recommend a system that meets your needs, or describe the levels and types of filtration available and even perform water quality testing. Any system will require some ongoing maintenance, but it’s routine and straightforward, including the replacement of filtration supplies. The basic systems address hard water issues, which are generally not as much of a problem here as in other parts of the country. With hard water, minerals like calcium are present in large concentrations and produce scale and corrosion in your plumbing. Treatment involves either chemically neutralizing or removing the minerals. Standard water filtration systems use materials like activated carbon to remove many types of contaminants, from volatile organic compounds or VOCs to undesirable chemicals and common elements. Reverse osmosis, or RO, passes mostly pure water through the membrane, simply leaving contaminants behind except for a tiny amount, less than one percent typically. RO-based systems are used to provide basic water supplies for laboratories and medical facilities.
Keeping Track of Faucet-Based Filters and Pitchers
If you’re already aware of concerns about your drinking water, you may have installed filter systems on your kitchen faucet and perhaps elsewhere in your home. Filter pitchers and even drinking bottles are also available. The thing is, you need to track your usage in order to make sure that the filter is still doing its job and replace each filter to keep your water quality high. Typically, instead of tracking the volume of water processed, you just use the time to plan your replacements and keep supplies of every type of filter you use in stock. In other words, why not just have one system to filter your home’s water instead? In addition to the plastic bottle chaos, tracking and stocking these filters can get pretty chaotic as well.
Coffee Making and Filtered Water
There are debates online about whether tap water gives your coffee “character” or filtered and bottled water provides a better consistency from cup to cup with an unaltered taste. Even in high-quality tap water, a discerning coffee or tea drinker can usually notice differences from bottled or filtered water. For homes with hard water, there are both taste issues and the problem of scale. When scale develops in the coffeemaker, it requires cleaning for proper operation and indicates that the rest of the home’s plumbing and appliances are having similar problems. Once you’ve installed a quality water filter or purification equipment, you’ll enjoy discovering how many ways it improves your life in addition to providing endless great drinking water!
At My Professional Plumber, we’re passionate about your plumbing performance and water quality as well. Our team can make sure that your family has plenty of great water flowing from your taps for drinking, cooking, and especially coffee making. Give us a call today!
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Can Your Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Slab Leaks? What You Need To Know By A Plumber
Your home is a vital place for both you and your family. As such, you want to spend some great family bonding time there with your loved ones, create memories, and, most importantly, ensure its security. When discussing security, you do not mean away from thieves at night. Although that is also important, we mean the security that can only be offered by insurance from unforeseen dangers and emergencies. As a homeowner trying to protect your family, you will spend some of your yearly hard-earned money on homeowner’s insurance and premiums. As you contribute to keeping your home safe, you would expect the insurance to cover all sorts of repairs when needed. But is this the case? Will they cover the plumber fee and slab leaks in your home?
Countercheck the Details of Your Home Insurance Policy
The first step towards understanding what your home insurance policy covers is checking out its details. Since each policy defines what counts as qualifying damage differently, it is advisable to speak with your policy agent to find out what your policy covers. The insurance agent should be able to send a copy so you can review it. If something is unclear and you would like further elaboration, the policy agent should be available to explain it in fine detail.
If your homeowner’s insurance policy covers water damage, in most cases, it will cover the slab leaks. If your cover does not cover the repair fees or the slab leaks, it is advisable to ask your homeowners’ insurance agent to modify your cover. Conversely, you can buy an additional policy to increase the protection of your home. Don’t hesitate to ask questions during your learning time about your insurance policy and the areas it covers.
Remember That There are Limits
One of the most important points to remember is that every insurance policy, whether car or homeowners’ insurance, has limits. Therefore, your water damage policy is the same. A homeowners’ water damage insurance policy will typically cover slab leaks and plumber repairs fees associated if there is qualifiable and visible damage to your property.
In other words, you, the insurance agent, should be able to see pools of water, cracks, or property damage due to the slab leaks. Therefore, if this is the stipulation of your insurance policy, but you know some leaks have yet to result in property damage or pools of water, it is still advisable to talk to your insurance provider. However, keep in mind that they may not cover plumber fees.
What to Do If You Need to File a Claim
Before filing a claim, one of the most important things is ensuring that the slab damage on your property is legitimate and not due to negligence. In addition, you should be sure that the damage is not due to normal wear and tear. When you have outlined all these factors, you should file the claim as soon as possible without delay.
The first step to filing your claim is calling the insurance agent and informing them about what is happening. Also, notify the agent of the potential leak and the damage. Next, document the extent of the damage by using a camera or your phone. The homeowners’ insurance agent will need proof of the damage to speed up your claim payment process.
At this point, the insurance agent will initiate a claim. Then an insurance adjuster will come to assess the extent of the damage. During the assessment, the insurance adjuster investigates the condition and then offers a statement check for the amount they deem enough to cover the damage.
You Must Maintain Your Property
Although you have a homeowners’ insurance policy, you need to maintain your property through regular maintenance. The provider will reject your claim if water damage is due to improper maintenance. Therefore, keeping your home well-maintained and taken care of is advisable. Let it be that if any damage was to occur, it is not because of improper maintenance. In addition, it is best to use a certified plumber since they have the necessary knowledge and equipment to care for your home.
Before filing a claim form to the insurance, consider all the preventative maintenance you have done for your home. Apart from having plumbing services, you should also trim tree roots away from the foundation of your house, as they may also cause damage to your drainage system if left unattended. Consequently, when filing a claim for water damage, the insurance provider will not doubt that it couldn’t have been avoided.
What Should Be Your Next Step?
Before cashing the check offered by your homeowners’ insurance company, it is always advisable to get a second opinion. Contact a plumbing technician to investigate and provide you with an estimate of all repairs needed. Remember that the insurance adjuster who assessed the damage works and protects the insurance company’s interest. Therefore, they are biased towards favoring the company and not you.
This means offering you a small settlement each time you file a claim is in their best interest. Notably, cashing the check indicates accepting the settlement amount offered. Therefore, you cannot contest it later. Therefore, start by consulting a trusted professional on what they think the repairs will cost. If the amount needed exceeds the amount offered by the insurance company, you should contest it. Send a copy of the quotation by the plumbing technician to the insurance company as an indication that the amount is too small. This will be enough for the company to reevaluate the settlement and offer a better one.
Regular maintenance is the best way to protect your house from slab leaks. This will protect your home and you from the hustle of insurance claim rejection. Contact us at My Professional Plumber today for quality maintenance services.
See our most recent blog on this topic here.
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Types Of Pipe Fittings That A Professional From Your Reliable Plumbing Company May Use In Your Home’s Plumbing Repairs
Your plumbing system has many functioning parts that work together to ensure you receive water in your home. Although you may not know all these parts like a plumbing company would, knowing what they are and how they operate is essential. For example, pipe fittings help your plumbing system carry water into your home and connect it to the main water supply. Therefore, when choosing plumbing features, picking suitable pipe fittings is vital. Notably, pipe fittings come in different types covered under the MEP umbrella. This article will outline everything there is to know about pipe fittings.
What are Pipe Fittings?
The first step towards understanding your plumbing system is knowing each part intimately and its use. Pipe fittings are the parts of your plumbing system that connect pipes from different parts. Pipes fittings play two critical roles in your home’s plumbing system. They either increase the length of the pipe or redirect the water to the other direction of your water supply. In addition, plumbing pipe fittings will also help your water technician to build various plumbing configurations according to your specifications.
Plumbing fixtures are available in different sizes to fit different pipes. Therefore, a plumbing company technician will use fixtures to unite, divert, or reduce your home’s water flow. When installing pipe fittings, there are specifications and size guidelines to follow that are crucial to the proper functioning of your water system.
Due to their different purposes, the pipe fitting types are made with different-sized pores. These types act as your plumbing system transitions from one pipe size to another. But most pipe fittings have the same-sized opening on both ends. Therefore, they are used for multiple purposes, such as flow measurement and regulation.
Pipe Fitting Material
Pipe fittings are available in different materials. The materials range from plastic to metal. Other materials commonly used for pipe fittings include aluminum, iron, copper, PVC, brass, and other materials. Therefore, there is an array of options for your ideal choice. Your plumbing system’s flexibility, pressure, and cost depend on your chosen pipe fitting material. Below are some of the pipe fittings materials available in the market;
Aluminum
One of the most common pipe fittings materials in the market is aluminum. Most homeowners prefer this material for their homes because it is very flexible and light. Therefore, it does not require additional support since it will not weigh down the plumbing pipes. Also, an aluminum pipe fitting is best combined with aluminum pipes.
Another significant benefit of an aluminum pipe fitting is its good thermal conductivity and uniform thickness throughout. Aluminum is also easy to work with and comes in various sizes. The other factor that makes aluminum pipe fittings common among homeowners is durability and corrosion resistance ability. It is a lightweight material which makes it easy to cut and weld.
Copper
Another commonly used material in pipe fittings is copper. This is because it can withstand high temperatures and has excellent thermal conductivity. It is also ideal for hot water systems such as boilers. Since it is a good conductor of heat, copper is a perfect material for water supply lines. On the other hand, copper is resistant to scale buildup and corrosion. Therefore, it makes an ideal material for pipe fittings and other water fixtures.
Stainless Steel
Do you want a strong pipe and plumbing system? Stainless steel is ideal for your home’s plumbing system. Unlike other pipe fittings materials, stainless steel does not rust when wet or easily break. Additionally, stainless steel is easily installed by a plumbing company in both residential and commercial settings. Another outstanding characteristic that makes this an ideal pipe-fitting material is that stainless steel pipes can withstand a lot of heat and are very durable.
Cast Iron Fitting
Cast iron fitting is the most commonly used material in pipe fittings in the market. It is typically used for drain and sewer piping in commercial and residential buildings. This material is made from iron and comes in different sizes and shapes. Therefore, you can use cast iron fittings in your home in the kitchen and sanitary piping in your bathroom.
PVC Pipe Fittings
The other commonly used material in pipe fittings available in the market is PVC material. A Poly Vinyl Chloride material is versatile and thus can be used in various ways. Since it is a hard plastic, it is ideal for use with different pressure ratings. Most plumbing company technicians use solvent welding and threads to link PVC fittings and distribute cold and hot water in your home to meet your water supply and drainage needs. However, you can substitute PVC with a material known as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, ABS, which is a rigid black plastic pipe since it covers the same functions as PVC. ABS is usually seen as more cost-effective.
Applications of Pipe Fittings
Due to their advantages, pipe fittings are used in different industries and settings to unite or divert pipes. In power generation, pipe fittings create a water seal around a pipe, allowing it to reach the condenser coil. On the other hand, pipe fittings are used in the oil and gas industry, connected to oil delivery to a different station in the pipeline. Some of the other uses for pipe fitting include food and beverage, chemical, and refinery industry. They are also used in municipal areas such as drainage, sewage lines, and water lines. In addition, they are used in fire sprinkler systems, ventilation, irrigation, marine, residential, and dredging.
Are you looking for the best pipe fittings for your home? Ensure that you do enough research on the best material to serve your home by going through the advantages and disadvantages of each. Contact us at My Professional Plumber for advice on the ideal fittings for your plumbing.
See our most recent blog on this topic here.