Author: splashme@splashomnimedia.com

How are your pipes and plumbing? If your home is older than 25 years, the plumbing is usually the same age, meaning it could need replacing. Re-piping is the process of replacing old pipes with new ones. However, before you invest in re-piping, you should know what kind of pipe material is best for home plumbing systems. We’ve got the information you need.

Copper Pipes

Copper piping is often more expensive than other types of pipes, but it’s also more durable and can increase the resale value of your home. You’ll sometimes find copper in older houses, and it’s currently used more in commercial applications, but it is still an excellent choice for many homes.

CPVC and PVC Pipes

Unlike copper pipes that are metal, CPVC and PVC pipes are plastic. These pipes are more cost-effective than copper and are common in newer homes. The plastic is easy to manufacture and costs less to ship and transport because it’s light. Installation is also easy and it is flexible and useful in a variety of different homes.

Uponor Pipes

Another choice that is gaining in popularity for use in homes and businesses is Uponor pipe. Like PVC piping, it’s lightweight, flexible, and durable. However, unlike PVC, it is a more sustainable option. It’s also more budget-friendly, installation is quick, and it has a 25-year warranty.

You don’t need to decide on what kind of pipe material is best for home plumbing systems on your own. If your home needs re-piping, trust the guidance of knowledgeable experts by contacting Hill Plumbing and Air.

Flushable wipes have been around for years, but do you know what they can do to your plumbing? It’s easy to get caught up in the convenience of disposable wipes, but they may not be worth the trouble they can cause. Let’s get the real answer to the big question – can you actually flush flushable wipes?

What Are Flushable Wipes Made Of?

Wipes touted as being flushable consist of paper pulp held together with binders and polymers, including polyester. The companies that make them say they’re biodegradable and start to break down immediately, but that’s generally not the reality.

What Really Happens

When you flush toilet paper, it begins to disintegrate almost immediately and has completely broken down by the time it reaches the septic tank or sewer system. Wipes, on the other hand, can still be almost completely intact if they get that far. They can get stuck in your sewer or septic system, causing backups and even flooding. And if they get as far as the city sewer system, they can cause damage and blockages that affect the entire system.

The Bigger Picture

Flushable wipes are, technically, flushable in that you can flush them down the toilet. However, the damage they can cause to your own plumbing and sewer lines, to the city system in general, and to the environment is mind-boggling. Instead of risking the integrity of your pipes, just say no to flushing wipes.

If you have used and flushed wipes in the past and have found that you might have a blockage or backup, don’t wait to call in the pros. Contact the team at Hill Plumbing and Air today to schedule a service call. One of our expert team members can come assess the situation and give you a solution to the problem to get you back up and running quickly.

Are drain cleaners safe to use for your home or business plumbing? Dealing with clogged drains is a tremendous hassle, and you may be trying to consider all your options to solve the problem. Before you go to the store to purchase a drain cleaning product, it’s important to consider the risks that drain cleaners pose to your plumbing system.

How Drain Cleaning Chemicals Can Damage Your Pipes

You may find several brands of drain cleaning products at your local store that claim to work like magic on a clogged drain. What they don’t tell you is the potential damage they can cause to your residential or commercial plumbing.

Pouring a drain cleaner down the bathtub, shower, or sink drain causes a chemical reaction that creates heat. This heat is what dissolves the clog, liquifying it so it can move down the drain. The problem is that the heat doesn’t just dissolve the clog; it also can corrode or damage your plumbing pipes—especially older metal or plastic pipes. As a result, what you thought was a simple drain cleaning technique can lead to the need for a costly pipe replacement in the future.

Other problems with drain cleaners include:

• Health hazards resulting from dangerous chemical fumes
• Environmental hazards as the chemicals seep into your property’s ground areas and water sources
• Damage to sink or bathtub because the chemicals can potentially erode enamel finishes and metals

Choose Hill Plumbing & Air for Safe, Effective Drain Cleaning Solutions

There’s no need to risk the dangers of drain cleaning products when you can turn to your trusted local plumbers to get the job done right and safely. At Hill Plumbing & Air, we use the latest solutions and technology to take the guesswork and risk out of unclogging your drain. Let our experts get to the bottom of your drain problem. Contact Hill Plumbing & Air today to schedule drain cleaning services.

For decades, the only option for water heaters was the old standard – the tank system. Now you have the option to go tankless. How do you know which is best for you? Let’s take a look at some of the features of tankless or tanked water heater systems.

Tank System

A traditional water heater consists of a tank that holds 30-50 gallons that heats water and stores it until you turn on the hot water faucet.

Pros:

• Inexpensive to buy and install, usually between $500-800
• They’re easy to replace
• Newer models are much more energy-efficient than older versions

Cons:

• A large amount of space is required
• They use energy keeping the water in the tank warm whether you’re using it or not
• They can run out of hot water and take time to refill and to heat more water

Tankless System

Tankless water heaters are an on-demand system, only heating the water as you need it instead of storing it in a tank and reheating it over and over until you use it.

Pros:

• Highly energy-efficient and last twice as long as a tank unit, with a life expectancy of up to 20 years
• They don’t take up a chunk of space
• Tankless systems don’t run out of hot water, heating it only as you need it

Cons:

• More costly than tank heaters, tankless equipment is about twice the price
• They require expensive and more extensive installation and often even require retrofitting of older homes to accommodate all of the components
• You might have output issues, as the on-demand process can only heat a certain amount of water at a time

If you’re still uncertain about which way to go for your hot water needs, never fear – the team at Hill Plumbing and Air has got you covered. Contact them today to find out everything you need to know about water heating systems.