My Drain Company Blog

Leading the Way with Independence Days!

July 3rd, 2014

The term “Fourth of July” is the popular name for the U.S. federal holiday officially known as Independence Day. It isn’t surprising that we would come up with a different name from the official one, since “Independence Day” is one of the most common holiday names across the globe. Most of the nations in existence today won their independence from another power, whether through wars, treaties, or long transitions.

What might surprise many people is how old U.S. Independence Day actually is compared to the similar holidays of other nations. Although the U.S. is still considered a young nation, it was one of the first to make a full break for its colonial master with a new constitution. Most countries that celebrate a national Independence Day are commemorating events that occurred in the second half of the 20th century, when many older empires at last relinquished control over their colonies.

How substantial is the difference in time for the U.S.A. and the rest of the world? U.S. Independence Day celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1776, making our country unusual in that almost no existing nations celebrate an independence event from the eighteenth century.

In terms of age, there is only a tiny handful current countries that celebrate an independence day that occurred earlier than the United States. Switzerland celebrates its independence from the Holy Roman Empire of the Germans in 1291 with “Swiss National Day,” held every August 1—although this only gained status as a national holiday in 1994. Sweden Celebrates “National Day of Sweden” to commemorate events in 1523 and the election of King Gustav I during the War of Liberation against Christian II of Denmark and Norway. Romania comes almost a hundred years after U.S. Independence, with its 1877 freedom from Turkish rule.

The most recent Independence Days to come into existence are for Montenegro, which gained independence from Serbia in 2006 and celebrates the day on May 21, and South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011 and celebrates the day only a day after the U.S., on July 5.

Does anyone else celebrate a literal “Fourth of July,” an Independence Day that also falls on the fourth day of the seventh month? Yes: Abkhazia, a small Central Asian country that declared its independence from the Republic of Georgia in 1999 (although not all countries recognize it). Coming a day (like South Sudan) on July 5 is the independence of the small Atlantic island nation of Cape Verde, which became free from Portugal through signed agreement in 1975.

Everyone at My Drain Company hopes you and your family enjoy a vibrant Independence Day/Fourth of July this year!

Posted in Happy Holidays | Comments Off on Leading the Way with Independence Days!

Advantages of Tankless Water Heaters

June 27th, 2014

Water heaters are an essential part of your plumbing system, designed to provide piping hot water for bathing and cooking on a moment’s notice. Most people are accustomed to traditional tanked models, and they often work just fine. They’re not the only option, however. Here in Glendale, CA plumbing services can install a tankless water heater system, which eschews the use of a giant tank. Instead, it passes the water through a series of superheating coils, warming it instantly as it travels to the faucet. Tankless water heaters cost more to install than tanked models, but they provide numerous advantages to offset the cost. We’ve included a breakdown of some of the larger advantages below.

  • Instant hot water. Unlike tanks, which often take time to “warm up” in getting the hot water to you, tankless models provide hot water instantly. Furthermore, they never run out of hot water the way tanked models do if you run them for long enough.
  • Cheaper costs. Furthermore, a tankless water heater ensures that you never waste water waiting for the heater to kick in. furthermore, it doesn’t rely on natural gas or similar types of fuel. All of that translates to significant savings in monthly costs over the tanked model. In addition, you can receive a tax rebate from the federal government to help further offset the cost of installation.
  • Less space. Tankless water heaters don’t take up nearly as much space as their cousins, allowing them to readily be placed anywhere that fits in your house.
  • Less damage. When tanked water heaters rupture, they can make a considerable mess, as the water spreads out all over the area. When tankless heaters encounter problem, there’s no mess. You’re simply denied hot water until a technician can get in to repair it.

For more advantages of tankless water heaters, or to schedule an installation in your home, call upon the experts at My Drain Company. Plumbing companies in Glendale don’t come more professional than us. We can assess your needs and make the right recommendation before installing a system with courtesy and care. Pick up the phone and call us today. You’ll be glad you did!

 

Tags: ,
Posted in Water Heaters | Comments Off on Advantages of Tankless Water Heaters

When You Should Consider Whole-House Repiping

June 24th, 2014

All plumbing will need repairs at some point or another; the amount of work that the pipes in a home do on a daily basis means enough wear and tear to eventually cause leaks and clogs. In some cases, repiping is the best solution to these troubles. Plumber will remove the old pipes and replace them with newer material such as copper or one of the different kinds of plastic pipes (PEX, CPVC, etc.).

But there are times when a more drastic solution is necessary for a home’s plumbing: whole-house repiping. This may sound like an extreme measure, but for older homes it is often the best and most cost-effective way to solve numerous plumbing issues. If you hire an experienced company in Northridge, CA for plumbing work of this magnitude, the job should go fast and with little disruption to your life.

My Drain Company handles whole-house repiping. We can help you decide if repiping is the best solution, and if it is, we will take on the job and provide you with the best service possible.

When whole-house repiping becomes an option

  • You have a house with galvanized steel piping: For many decades, even through the 1960s, the main material used for home plumbing was galvanized steel, which was known for its durability. Unfortunately, what the installers at the time didn’t realize about galvanized steel was its eventual susceptibility to corrosion that would weaken it to the point of extensive leaking and eventual breaks. Copper has long superseded steel for this reason, and if you have a pre-1970s home, you should check to see if you have galvanized steel plumbing. If you do, or if you are encountering numerous corrosion leaks in an older home, it’s time for full repiping services.
  • Constant repair issues: Whether you have older steel pipes or poorly installed copper and plastic ones, experiencing continual plumbing repair issues is a good indicator that the material is simply not up to the task. These repairs don’t need to be just leaks; continually clogging is also a sign of deteriorating pipes that are keeping water from efficiently flowing. High water pressure is another sign of poor quality or deteriorating pipes.
  • Rusting: This is an issue that can strike galvanized steel pipes, but isn’t restricted to them. Copper pipes are rust-resistant, but not rust-proof, and the flux that seals the join pipes is susceptible to rusting. When rust starts to become a frequent issue, it usually means that you should replace all the piping in a home (usually with truly rust-free PEX plastic pipes).

You can rely on skilled Northridge, CA plumbing services to select the best material for repiping so that your home will have many decades of pipes capable of handling the stress you and your family will put on them. Contact My Drain Company today to schedule an appointment to look into the possibility of whole-house repiping.

Tags: ,
Posted in Plumbing | Comments Off on When You Should Consider Whole-House Repiping

What Slab Leak Repair Is and Why You May Need It

June 20th, 2014

You may have heard the term “slab leak” before and not understood exactly what it meant, except that it sounds like it would take a great deal of difficult work to fix and you don’t want one to happen in your home. You’re right on both counts (you don’t want any kind of leaks in your home) but with the right plumbers on the job, you can expect to have a slab leak fixed fast and correctly so it won’t threaten the rest of your property or plumbing.

Slab leaks, as we’ll explain, are serious business. The moment you think you have one in your home, you need to call the professionals at My Drain Company. When it comes to plumbing in Glendale, CA, we are one of the most experienced full-service contractors. Our plumbers can handle jobs large and small, from solving a household leak to handling commercial installation.

What slab leaks are

The term “slab leak” is the plumbing industry name for any pipe leak that occurs under concrete or other hardscape material in a building. Your home’s foundation is a large concrete block, and a number of important pipes, such as the water main, run through it. Although well-protected from damage because of the hard casing, these pipes can still break due to corrosion (especially for older plumbing), the house shifting, or (and this is a serious concern for Southern California) earthquakes.

A slab leak not only wastes immense amount of water, it can inflict serious damage to a home’s foundation as it increases pressure within the slab.

How will I know I have a slab leak?

The first sign of a slab leak you may notice is a sudden elevation in your water bills for which you cannot account. Other indicators are the appearance of cracks along your home’s foundation due to water pressure, the faint sound of running water, and unusual warm spots across the concrete slabs of your home. Call for plumbers the moment you encounter any of these warning signs.

How does slab leak repair work?

Not all slab leak repairs work the same way. Skilled plumbers will use leak detection equipment to pinpoint the leak location and determine the best way to repair the problem. Sometimes the plumbers will need to use jackhammers to access the leak, and then fill the hole in afterwards. Other times, the leak can be repaired through additives placed into the plumbing that will seal the leak from inside. Regardless of the method used, professional plumbers will make every effort to leave your home looking exactly as they found it.

For the fast and effective plumbing services in Glendale, CA that will take care of any leak your home may have, trust to the 24-hour service of My Drain Company.

Tags: ,
Posted in Plumbing | Comments Off on What Slab Leak Repair Is and Why You May Need It

How Earthquakes Can Damage Your Plumbing System

June 12th, 2014

Here in Burbank, plumbing companies have to deal with more than just leaky pipes and clogged drains. We’re living in earthquake country, and temblors are a regular occurrence throughout the year. Even minor quakes can shake up your property, and when it comes to plumbing, the damage can be much worse: breaches, leaks and even destroyed pipes in need of full-bore replacement.

Here’s A Quick Breakdown on How Earthquakes Can Damage Your Plumbing System

The big issue arises with the main water and sewer lines connecting your home to Burbank’s civic system. These are usually located underground, where they can’t be seen by the naked eye. Earthquake damage could cause a breach immediately, and it could also shift the ground around the pipe: avoiding an instant rupture but increasing stress at certain points along the line. That means a breach can occur days or even weeks after the quake, even though things look peaceful initially. Monitor your yard closely in the period immediately following an earthquake, and look for signs such as strange puddles of water, dripping sounds, or grass and shrubbery suddenly becoming much greener than the surrounding flora.

Inside the home, the damage is usually easier to detect. Beyond the obvious signs of a leak or a breach (i.e., water leaking out across you bathroom floor), listen for signs of leaking or dripping in your walls and pay careful attention to the water pressure in your various faucets. A good catch-all test is to check your meter, then wait two hours without using any of the water in your home. Then check the meter again. If the amount has changed, then you probably have a leak somewhere in the home.

The plumbers at My Drain Company fix all kinds of plumbing problems, and we know how earthquakes can damage your plumbing system. More importantly, our trained staff has the skills to repair the problem once it’s been detected, and can replace damaged pipes with speed and efficiency. If you detect any plumbing damage to your property after an earthquake, pick up the phone and schedule your plumbing services in Burbank with us. You’ll be glad you did!

Tags: ,
Posted in Plumbing | Comments Off on How Earthquakes Can Damage Your Plumbing System

What Is a Sump Pump?

June 5th, 2014

Here in Southern California, sump pumps don’t get a lot of attention. We lack basements in most of our homes, and our overall dry weather means we don’t worry much about flooding. But here in Glendale, plumbing repair services see their share of flooding, especially when the rains come in the fall and the top soil turns our hills into mudslides. A sump pump can be your best friend in such circumstances.

What Is A Sump Pump?

We’ve provided a brief outline below.

A sump pump is placed in a small pit dug at the lowest point of your property. A drain line is run from the pump to the outside of your house and in many cases, the pump needs to be connected to your electrical grid as well. When a flood hits, the water moves to the lowest point in your house, where it enters the pit. A floating sensor activates the sump pump, which spins a centrifugal fan in the center of the system. That pushes the water to the outside of the pump and creates a vacuum at the center, which pulls the water up out of the pit, into the line and out of the house. As a result, your basement is kept dry and the rest of your property remains safe.

As we said, sump pumps see a lot of use back East, where heavy rains and foods are more of a problem. But Glendale’s hilly landscape has made flooding recurring issue for certain households, especially older ones that feature a basement. If you know what a sump pump is and you think you may need one for your home, then now is the time to act: in the summer before the rains start.

Here in Glendale, plumbing repair services like the professionals at My Drain Company can discuss the ins and outs of sump pump repair with you, then help you decide which particular model will fit your needs. We’re absolutely dedicated to your satisfaction and we won’t rest until the job is done right, so give us a call today if you need plumbing repair services in Glendale!

Tags: ,
Posted in Plumbing | Comments Off on What Is a Sump Pump?

Benefits and Drawbacks of a Low Flow Toilet

May 23rd, 2014

Efforts at water conservation in Southern California have led to many homeowners installing low-flow toilets. These fixtures can reduce the amount of water used per flush by more than three quarters, thanks to their gravity assist and high pressure operation. This means substantial savings along with their environmentally-friendly water use.

We specialize in plumbing in Tarzana, CA that will make your life easier and more economical.

If you are ready to upgrade your house and downgrade the amount of water you use on a day-to-day basis, call My Drain Company today.

The low-flow toilet benefits

The water savings from a low-flow toilet can be tremendous. This will help your annual budget and it will contribute to water conservation efforts, which are always important in dry Southern California.

How much can you expect to save? It depends on your water usage, the amount of toilets in your house, the number of people who live there, and local costs per gallon. Here’s an example to give you an idea of what you might save: A low-flow toilet uses 1.7 gallons per flush, while a standard toilet uses 7 gallons. A toilet, on average, flushes 6 times a day. Over a year, with an average per gallon price of $0.04 (the baseline for So Cal), a standard toilet will use 15,000 gallons and cost $600. A low-flow toilet will use 3,500 gallons and cost $140. That’s a savings of $460 in one year! As an investment in savings and to benefit the environment, low flow toilets are a great choice.

The low-flow toilet drawbacks

Although low-flow toilets are designed to work through pressure or gravity to compensate for the reduced volume of water flow, they can have trouble with larger waste removal. They can run in particular trouble with paper-based waste and garbage. You should avoid using any toilet as a wastebasket, but with a low-flow toilet you could cause clog very easily. In general, you should expect increased clogging issues and should always keep a plunger handy in case. Low-flow toilets also cost more than standard models, but they should pay for themselves in less than a year.

Find out more about low-flow toilet installation

Installing low-flow toilets is a basic job for professionals. Call My Drain Company if you want to know more about how effectively a low-flow model can work for your home, as well as what you can potentially save. For your Tarzana, CA plumbing needs, look to our more than 15 years of experience.

Tags: ,
Posted in Plumbing | Comments Off on Benefits and Drawbacks of a Low Flow Toilet

Why Small Plumbing Leaks Are Still Damaging

May 23rd, 2014

Here in Glendale, CA, plumber services are called upon to treat all manner of problems, and none of them are small. Even seemingly minor problems like small leaks have a way of turning into bigger ones very quickly. The sooner you get on a noticeable problem, the better off you and your plumbing system will be.

Here’s Why Small Plumbing Leaks Are Still Damaging

If left untreated, water will damage the materials surrounding your pipes. Wood and drywall can become swollen with moisture, leading to corrosion and rot. Electrical wiring could be damaged and in some cases the water may ultimately cause an electrical short. These problems don’t get better over time, and in fact small leaks may be more damaging than large ones because they can go for months before being detected, wreaking untold havoc in the process.

Furthermore, even small leaks can have a detrimental effect on your plumbing system as a whole. Pressure tends to drop when there’s a leak, even a small one, which makes it harder to clean dishes and can create comfort problems with your shower. More importantly, it often leads to higher water bills. You’re paying for all that water leaking out, after all, and even if it’s not a gushing river, it’s still money that you don’t need to be spending.

Finally, small leaks have a way of turning into bigger ones, especially if they’re caused by corrosion in the pipes themselves. A small leak could be just a warning sign of bigger things to come, and if you get on it, now, you could be saving yourself a create deal in unnecessary expenses.

The good news is that the Glendale plumbing experts at My Drain Company are here to help. We know why small plumbing leaks are still damaging, and we use the latest technological advances to pinpoint the exact source of the problem before fixing it. The longer you delay, the bigger the problem can become, so don’t hesitate! Pick up the phone and schedule a repair session today. Your plumbing system will thank you.

Tags: ,
Posted in Plumbing | Comments Off on Why Small Plumbing Leaks Are Still Damaging

When Should I Think about Replacing My Water Heater?

May 16th, 2014

Modern water heaters are durable appliances, but they will not last forever, even with the best possible maintenance care. At a certain point, you will need to replace the system with a new one. However, aside from experiencing a catastrophic breakdown in your current water heater, it won’t always be obvious that the time has come for a new installation. We will examine some of the times when a water heater replacement is your best option.

For a professional opinion, as well as installation services for a new system, call the team at My Drain Company. We handle water heater services in Glendale, CA that will provide your home with a steady and energy-efficient supply of hot water.

The Water Heater Is Older Than Its Estimated Lifespan

Depending of the model, water heaters usually last between 10 to 15 years. Check on the estimated service life of your water heater (it should be marked on the tank); if it is a few years older than it, you should schedule a replacement before the system begins to falter and lose efficiency. In general, any water heater more than 15 years old is overdue to be replaced.

The Water Heater Is Suffering From Corrosion

When corrosion enters a water tank and starts to cause rust in the components, it usually means the water heater has deteriorated beyond repairs. If you see corrosion on the tank, or if your hot water begins to take on a rusty discoloration, call on Glendale water heater specialists to see if the system is worth repairing or not.

The Water Heater Can No Longer Meet Your Demands

When a water heater begins to lose its regular supply of hot water, or if it cannot heat the water to the level you expect, then the system is probably too worn down to be worth keeping. Sometimes repairs can restore your hot water, but if a technician thinks that repairs will no longer be enough, then it’s time to replace the water heater.

You Wish To Take Advantage of Tankless Water Heater Technology

If your water heater costs more to run than you think it should or if you find that your household uses enough hot water that you regularly run out during the day, then you should look into the possibility of installing a new tankless water heater. These systems do not run out of hot water because they heat up water “on demand” only as you need it. They also cost less to operate since they do not need to keep a supply of water constantly warmed up for use.

If you have doubts about whether it is time to replace your water heater in Glendale, CA or not, call My Drain Company and speak to our experts. We can arrange an appointment to examine your current water heater and help you decide whether you should repair or replace it. We can handle both jobs to make sure you continue receiving the hot water you need for daily life.

Tags: ,
Posted in Water Heaters | Comments Off on When Should I Think about Replacing My Water Heater?

Grease Trap Repairs in Commercial Plumbing Systems

May 9th, 2014

Grease occasionally goes down the drains of residential kitchens, where it solidifies into a solid waxy material that can lead to clogs. However, this is nothing compared to the volume of grease, oil, and fat go down the drains of a commercial kitchen every day, whether it’s the kitchen of a restaurant, hotel, or cafeteria. These kitchens require industrial strength grease traps to keep their plumbing working, and also to comply with local codes prohibiting excess waste entering the sewer system. Commercial grease traps need to remain in excellent condition with repairs and maintenance.

To protect your commercial kitchen, schedule repairs for your grease trap as soon as you notice any problems from it. You can call My Drain Company any time of the day or night when you need repairs now. We know how important your business is to you, and we will strive to give you the professional service you require to keep it running the way you want it.

Repairs for Grease Traps

You can avoid many common grease trap repairs if you clean out the trap regularly and schedule annual maintenance for it to make sure it isn’t developing issues that could lead to repairs. However, you cannot avoid all problems, and sometimes repairs are necessary.

A common trouble that can affect a commercial grease trap is when the pipes that either enter or leave it develop clogs. Plumbers can assist with this using hydro-jetting equipment, blasting high pressure hot water along the pipes. The scalding temperature of the water is particularly effective at clearing out grease clogs. Drain snakes, which are used to clear standard drain pipes, are not powerful enough to unclog grease traps, and since hydro-jetting can be harmful in untrained hands, this is a service you must leave to professionals.

Grease traps will produce noxious smells if the food waste inside them begins to rot. If these smells continue even after you clean the trap, you may have an issue with the odor baffles. Poor installation could also be at fault, usually from a trap that was incorrectly sized. Call for professionals to investigate; you don’t want terrible odors affecting your business.

Keeping the grease traps for your commercial kitchen in good shape not only makes for a better kitchen, it keeps your business within the parameters of health and sewer codes. Don’t let a malfunction in a grease trap threaten your company: Call for the Glendale, CA plumbing professionals at My Drain Company right away.

Tags: ,
Posted in Plumbing | Comments Off on Grease Trap Repairs in Commercial Plumbing Systems

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »