Looking for a Nice Quiet House? Better Check the Plumbing

(ARA) - With all the environmental noise in our high-tech society, its little wonder that peace and quiet have become highly prized luxuries. Noise ordinances are regularly sought and passed to control everything from the volume of recreational watercraft to the backfire of car engines. In most neighborhoods, residents are restricted from making noise or playing stereos loudly before 8 a.m. or after 10 p.m. as a courtesy to other neighbors. There is even a Noise Pollution Clearinghouse that exists on the Internet to help reduce noise pollution and create an awareness of its various sources.

But noise isnt restricted to the great outdoors. Inside, there are equally as many sources of noise disturbance, including squeaky floors or doors, rattling windows, a dripping faucet or a toilet that continues to run. Manufacturers have invested heavily into technologies that make todays dishwashers, washing machines and even refrigerators much quieter. Homeowners routinely pay extra for additional soundproofing procedures and insulation between living spaces.

With all the noise to deal with, its easy to overlook one primary source -- the homes plumbing system. Plumbing pipe can be the source of two types of noise -- the sound of water flowing through the pipes and what is commonly referred to as water hammer, the banging or knocking sound thats heard within copper piping systems due to pressure surges that occur, for example, when a shower is turned off suddenly or when a washing machine changes cycles. A shock wave results as the fluid inside the pipe decelerates sharply, causing the pressure to rise and the fluid to compress.

Unfortunately for homeowners, traditional copper pipe is rigid and, therefore, not capable of expanding. Compounding the problem, copper has very poor insulating properties; consequently, any noise in the system is transmitted throughout the home. An alternative material, CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride), is not only less rigid than copper, it also has superior insulating properties.

In an effort to determine how much noise results and is transmitted in metallic pipe and how much noise could be reduced with the installation of a CPVC piping system that offers superior insulating qualities, NSF International, a well recognized, independent testing lab, conducted testing designed to compare noise levels between FlowGuard Gold CPVC pipe and copper pipe.

These tests documented the noise level (average of three tests) for the FlowGuard Gold 3/4 inch pipe at 35.9 dBA versus 55.4 for the 3/4 inch Type M Rigid copper pipe. To put the 19.5 dBA sound level difference between the two pipes in perspective, it was concluded by NSF that the copper pipe was four times louder (as the human ear interprets sound level) than the FlowGuard Gold CPVC pipe.

To compare the difference another way, consider that the human whisper at 25 dBA approximates the noise level of water running through a FlowGuard Gold pipe, versus a washing machine at 65 dBA, which is closer to the level of noise of water flowing through a copper pipe.

Other common noise levels register as follows:

* Rustle of leaves - less than 20 decibels

* Normal human conversation - between 60 and 70 decibels

* Busy street traffic - between 70 and 80 decibels

* Locomotive - approximately 90 decibels

* Jack hammer - approximately 100 decibels

* Rocket ship - between 110 and 120 decibels

In addition to its quieter operation, FlowGuard Gold CPVC pipe has been gaining in popularity and is being installed in more homes for other reasons, as well. The foremost reason is reliability. Unlike copper which is subject to corrosion and pinhole leaks that can lead to premature failure, CPVC pipe will never pit or corrode. This also means it will never leach harmful metals into the homes drinking water. In addition, it will never scale like copper, which allows it to retain full water-carrying capacity. And, its easier and safer to install because it utilizes an innovative, one-step solvent cement bond which does not require a torch for soldering.

To learn more how the selection of the right plumbing product can minimize noise in your home, as well as the many other benefits of CPVC plumbing, visit www.flowguardgold.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

The Plumber's Gift

The books never say one thing; they never say that creating a living from doing what one loves often seems like taking the easy way out. We're taught from elementary school on to really work hard and put our noses to the grindstone to get anywhere in life. We're told not to "cheat" or be lazy, not finish our work too early or too easily, not get ahead of the rest of the class. We're told not to let "the team" (the team being whoever reaps the most benefit) down, to get out and sell those Girl Scout cookies, that gift wrap or those candy bars.

They never say that, when people ask how much we'd charge to do a thing we love and are naturally good at just for them, it's really logical given our upbringing to think, "Ah, that's a piece of cake!" and lowball the price in order to play fair. It feels sneaky somehow, as though we'd be in danger of attempting actual fraud, to charge them a fee which would provide real profit. In our minds and hearts, we know it's an easy task and because it's so easy, we wind up with an amount that doesn't begin to pay our expenses. We put the needs of the other person first as we were so thoroughly taught to do and allow others to plumb our skills to their advantage, not to our own.

As little girls we were expected to help Mommy cook, clean and watch children. As teenagers, we were either paid a token amount for babysitting or, as I was, paid by an uneven sort of barter system. (I often watched up to 7 of my siblings at a time in exchange for fabric to sew clothes from or for my freedom on Saturday nights. Sometimes, my 6 cousins were added into the total too!) At the time, it was the norm. Every one of my friends babysat for money or time to themselves. Our mothers did not teach us how to create lucrative businesses out of using our gifts and talents. How could they have? We were being groomed for a future life like theirs, not for becoming entrepreneurs who work from a home office.

As grown up girls we've learned to support ourselves by going off to work every day; fitting into the corporate or academic worlds, thinking we have "made it" but still coming home to all the domestic tasks that sit and wait for us. The braver or luckier of us have managed to create businesses that allow us to work from our home offices or studios, scarcely daring to hope or believe that we are powerful, magical, or lucky enough to make it work. We wave our magic wands of talent frantically over our business plans while muttering prayers to the Angels and the Goddess to watch over us and protect us and make it all profitable.

But then, the awful thoughts come creeping again. "Well, I did do that work while wearing my bathrobe." Or "I did that at the same time I was (pick one) doing the laundry, rocking the baby, driving to the post office, etc. how could I really charge them so much for that?"

We've all probably worked with more than one woman who held a job similar to ours who told anybody within earshot how hard she worked, how much effort it took to achieve an assigned task, how many papers she took home to complete and how late into the night her candle burned. Would we choose to become like her (if only in our own mind) in order to justify the fee we charge?

Recently, I observed my plumbers as they replaced the pipes for both water and gas in almost my entire house. At no time did they sweat. At no time did they grunt or groan with physical exertion. At no time did they move with the speed displayed by almost every other contractor I've seen; certainly not with the speed of a waitress or cleaning lady or nurse or school teacher.

I observed them submit their estimate, which gave me heart palpitations and then, their bill, which made me catch my breath and gave me heart palpitations again. Did they display any signs of guilt at the huge sum because their job was easy? Did they lowball the fee because they enjoyed their work? Did they feel odd because they came late and left early? Did their voices waiver and their gazes wander about the room as they spoke?

Not on your life. They looked me in the eye and spoke slowly and calmly. In fact, attached to the bill was a paper attesting to 20 reasons why it was fair to charge what they did. The list, complete with decorative icons, included their technical education, work to stock the truck, travel to the job site, office expenses, licenses, taxes and all the rest.

Certainly, it could be fairly argued that anybody working has similar expenses.

Believe me, my plumbing is now beautiful, is in excellent shape, the gas leaks are gone and the house is no longer in danger of exploding when I light a candle while doing an Angel Reading. I have, curiously enough, relaxed as I can now stop prowling the house looking for the source of "that awful smell." I am happy with the work they did.

And I am grateful that they left me with their gift of showing me how to calmly value my work to a greater extent. I know now that I do not have to turn my work into something I perceive to be difficult to do in order to allow myself to value it more highly. The work I do is of high value precisely because it is simple for me to do yet it does not mean that anybody else can do it as well or in a similar manner. If it's a "cinch" to do, it means it's coming from the depth of who I am and who I am is highly valuable.

Work that's traditionally undervalued on the pay scale is typically the work that's perceived as being simple, something "anybody" can do. Therefore, the trick to increase our incomes is to do work that's easy but perceived by others to be impossible to do for themselves and also highly in demand. The plumbers knew I didn't have a clue about how to fix a gas leak and they took that fact all the way to the bank. Gas leaks must be fixed and that's that. I obviously place a high value on not being blown to bits.

What fun to use ability do you have that you can offer to the rest of the world? What can you do that others cannot or don't have time to do? What have you discounted and perhaps not even recognized that is actually a marketable skill? Pretend you're a plumber and give it some thought!

Catherine M. Kasper.

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Saving Money And Time With American Plumber Products

American Plumber is a company that makes a professional plumbing system. Their products can cut down on your need for frequent plumber calls. The system runs at all times making sure all is functioning well, often without human involvement. This can be a major time and money saver in regard to the plumber's involvement.

Among the many renowned products produced by American Plumber are many kitchen and bathroom water treatment systems, water filtration systems, piping, and other water delivery needs. They basically help you, the customer save money on your long-term plumbing investment while preventing you many additional expenses associated with frequent plumber calls.

Some of their most well-known products are their water filtration and treatment systems. One of the most famous is their under the sink reverse osmosis system. It's received numerous awards and is proven to help do away with piping congestion among other troubles. Reverse osmosis is one of the higher end water treatment systems, and American Plumber has put themselves ahead in this market.

The American Plumber water filter is another very popular product and is made by professional water filter makers such as Pentek and Culligan. The systems differ from many found in the water filter market in several ways. These water filter systems carry extended support for replacement filters and other parts. The filter system is available in under sink, countertop, and central full house configurations.

Today more than ever, people are finding the need for additional products that improve the quality of their water. With the many contaminants, natural mineral excesses, and other water problems, water treatment and filtration systems are showing up everywhere.

American Plumber's product line also offers alternatives to conventional plumbing solutions that often require a lot more maintenance. Plumbing calls can become quite expensive, especially when failures occur during off hours, weekends, and especially holidays. Whether the charges are hourly, or per job, they can add up over time.

In modern times, many are forced to do a lot more themselves, and with conventional plumbing, this can become quite a tedious task as well. The products of American Plumbing can provide a sound system that cuts out piping congestion and minimizes the potential for leaks and the problems that go with them. Once in place there isn't much to be done, and the plumber can be left to sleep late at night.

It's easy to say American Plumber can give you peace of mind at all times with less worry about your plumbing. Even when you do need to call a plumber things should be more standardized, and easier to deal with. That means a smaller bill if they ever have to be called.

In the end, if you spend less time and money on your plumbing; you definitely have more resources to deal with other things. With better potential health from good water and rest as it functions fine on its own; you definitely want to have a good look at the systems and products from American Plumber.

You can learn much more about plumbing by visiting the House Plumbing Site which provides comprehensive and up to date help and advice on all plumbing issues. Clive thoroughly recommends this site so make sure you check it out today here: - http://www.houseplumbingsite.com

Top Ten Reasons For Becoming A Plumber

Have you ever been told you need a college degree if you want a high paying career?

Do you know over 25% of all college graduates work in jobs that don't require a degree?

Do you know you don?t have to go to college to get a great job or a great salary?

It?s true, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics; eight of the top ten fastest growing occupations do not require a bachelor?s degree.

One of the hottest job opportunities right now is plumber. Here are the top ten reasons why you should pursue a career in plumbing:

1. It?s a hot opportunity- Human resource issues are a serious threat to the plumbing industry. There is an ongoing shortage of skilled workers and the coming wave of Baby Boomer retirements will cause the current large problem to explode into a gigantic one.

2. The great pay- Plumbers are one of the highest paid construction occupations. Pay rates of $20-25 per hour are common. And depending on your
location, you can earn up to $35 per hour and more.

3. Awesome benefits- The competition for quality plumbers is causing employers to put together amazing benefit packages including; paid vacations, retirement, and medical coverage including dental and vision insurance. If you join a union, the benefits are even better.

4. Incredible training opportunities- Most people enter the plumbing trade through an accredited apprenticeship program. By training as an apprentice you?ll earn a living wage, train with a seasoned veteran, and depending on the program you join you can earn college credit for the classes you take and the work experience you gain.

5. Employment stability- Employment of plumbers is less sensitive to changes in economic conditions than other construction trades. When construction activity declines; maintenance, rehabilitation and replacement of existing systems provide many jobs for plumbers.

6. Job advancement- Starting out as an apprentice and then reaching journeyman status you can accelerate your career by becoming a foreman, general foreman or even a piping superintendent. With additional training you could move into construction management or building inspection.

7. Create something that lasts- Plumbers help build homes, offices, hospitals, factories and sports facilities. You can be a part of something that lasts for generations.

8. Never be bored as a plumber- As a plumber you can work with gas piping, medical gas, water supply, waste water treatment, vacuum piping, underground utilities, residential service, residential and commercial construction? the possibilities are endless.

9. Make lifetime friendships- The construction community is a close knit group that serves and protects its members better than almost any group. Working as a plumber, you?ll make lasting friendships with other plumbers as well as members of other trades you work closely with.

10. Recognition- Get the recognition you deserve by doing quality work in the plumbing trade.

If this article has helped you and you think a plumbing career is the right fit for you, then visit the www.escoweb.com for more information.

J.K. Stephenson helps people find jobs that pay more than $20 per hour. Visit www.escoweb.com for more information

Discount Plumbing Supplies: Saving Money on Supplies

When you need a lot of plumbing supplies, you need discount plumbing supplies. This way you can get all of the supplies that you need for the job you have to do, but get them all at a discount. No one like to pay full price for anything, and getting something at a discount just makes it so much better. You will find that they are not hard to find, and you can find the supplies at a discount most anywhere if you know where to look.

The first place that you should look for discount plumbing supplies is your local discount plumbing supply store. You will see that they can offer part, pipes, and fittings at a lower price than your plumber might be selling them to you for. Going into a discount store like this is sure to pay off in the end if you are looking to buy a lot at one time. You will need to know what size fittings that you will need, as well as the right size of pipe for the most perfect fit that you can have. Some plumbing parts will have a standard size, and if you are not sure what size it is that you need for your plumbing, you can just buy the standard, and be sure that you will be able to use them in some project down the road that has to do with plumbing.

Many times plumbers will offer discount plumbing supplies if you have a large plumbing job for them to do. This is because they probably got the parts at a discount in the first place, and you can then get a discount from the plumber as well. If you have a plumber that will only charge you cost for the parts and supplies, that is a great deal. You know some plumbers make a lot of money off the supplies that they will use to get the job done. But to have plumber only charge their customers cost for the supplies is great. You will not find many plumbers that will do this, but if you have a plumber that is your friend, you just might get lucky in the money saving department.

If you can use used parts, you might be able to find many discount plumbing supplies that you will be able to use. While not every part that you might come across used, will be able to be reused, you might be able to save some money and cut some corners by using some used parts. This is a great help to anyone that is trying to get a plumbing job on a budget themselves, and you will be glad that you checked out the used parts as well when you were looking for a discount.

As you can see, there are many ways to get discount plumbing supplies that you need. Just because the piece is not brand new does not mean that you can not use it. Always be sure that your plumbing parts have a tight fit for the best results, and you will not go wrong.

Carl has been a professional plumber in a company he owns for more than 10 years not only is he experience in unclogging just about anything but also an expert in installing plumbing fixtures and installing new water lines. Carl will give you some helpful tips on plumbing installation when you visit http://www.alliedesolutions.com

Plumbing - U-Trap Pipe Replacement

A few weeks ago, our family noticed water coming out of the cabinets around the kitchen and bathroom sinks. With a little inspection, we discovered the same problem in each case was at fault. The U-trap pipe was leaking due to being worn out from years of use. The pipe as its name suggests is U-shaped.

The importance of the U-trap other than keeping your floor dry and getting rid of water is that because some water is in the bottom of the pipe at all times, this helps prevent sewer gases from entering your home and harming you or your loved ones.

After diagnosing the problem, the next step is to go to the hardware store and get a replacement. Other than a flashlight (no matches or open fire source!), you will need a pipe wrench(only if you can't use your fingers to remove the nuts holding the pipe) and replacement pipe (either metal or PVC). You should check the pipe to see if you can remove it without a wrench, thus saving you some money if you don't need one, providing there is not one in the toolkit already. A word about pipe wrenches: You know that number they give such as 18"? That refers to the handle length AND the full opened width of the wrench jaws. Confusing, huh? Just be sure you pay for what you need.

After getting what you need from the store, unscrew the collars or nuts around the pipe, gently move it a bit to see if it moves, then pull out of position, and insert the new pipe and appropriate hardware. See that it is secure. Turn on the water. Check for leaks. If you have anymore problems with leaks from the same source, recheck all pipe connections for the U-pipe and P-pipe. The P-pipe is the one that leads from the U-trap pipe into the wallpipe connection, which, as the name suggests is the pipe leading into the wall and from there the sewer.

C. O. IRBY, III
bingle42@yahoo.com
I learned home improvement by doing it myself, but since I'm still learning I would be glad to hear from you any tips you have. I live in a 50+ year old house.

Help! - I Need a Plumber

 

Finding good plumbers in the UK is difficult. Need a plumber in an emergency and you’ve got a real problem.

There’s lots of articles available on selecting plumbers. We’ve all heard the advice - get quotes, follow up references and ask friends and families for referrals. All good stuff but it makes it sound as if people needing a plumber have a choice available to them.

This really misunderstands the issue which the average householder faces. Yes we do want to find a great plumber, that knowledgeable, polite, punctual, reasonably priced paragon of virtue but before we get that far, we have to find a plumber who is prepared to do business with us.

If you need a plumber in an emergency, you’ll either find the ones which have priced themselves out of the market and so are often available – Mr or Mrs “It’ll cost you!” or their more reasonably priced cousin Dave “Quickest I could get to you is next Wednesday.” Not great if you have a leak and it’s now Sunday.

Indeed the position is not much better if you are planning routine work such as having a boiler serviced or a bathroom installed. Getting a quote can be a challenge – getting the work started much more difficult.

Now, according to recent reports, the position should be easing.

Over the past few years, the press has run stories about a shortage of plumbers. In 2003, the British Plumbing Employer’s Council estimated that the plumbing industry would need to recruit 29,000 new entrants over the next 5 years. This led to reports of City workers leaving their jobs in the hope of earning £70,000 a year as a plumber.

More recently, however, there are accounts of workers with plumbing experience from Eastern Europe filling vacancies on building sites and a surplus of trainees trying to find jobs.

For the householder, this should mean that finding a good plumber who is available is much easier. The logic is fine but plumbers who are available for work are still an elusive breed. So if you have water pouring through the ceiling or your new bathroom arrives next Wednesday, read on for Hot Hints on tracking down a plumber.

Hot Hints for Finding a Plumber

 

• Asking for recommendations from family and friends is always a good first port of call.
• Check out one of the internet directories on-line – you can search for plumbers close to you and the better guides give the plumbers the space to provide details of their experience and specialist skills. Remember to mention the directory when you call – some have arrangements where the plumbers offer a discount.
• Look in your local parish magazine. Often the plumbers who advertise there live close by – in an emergency someone who is just down the road may well be quicker, cheaper and, more importantly, willing to turn out.
• Try your local paper. Some plumbers will advertise in the classified ads all year round, others will appear only when they are not busy – increasing your chance of finding someone who says “yes”.
• Ring your local letting agent – letting agents usually have a team of tradesmen and women who are set up to respond quickly to problems faced by tenants of the agent. Their plumber may be willing to help you.
• Call your plumbing supply shop – the staff get to know the regulars really well and are likely to be able to suggest someone who is not only good but who is available to take on your job.
• Plan in advance, every time, a friend has plumbing work done ask them who did it and if they were any good. Keep details of the recommended plumbers. Then, when the leak or blockage occurs you know who to ‘phone straight away.

 

Once you’ve found a possible plumber, do take steps to check them out. In reality, plumbers are no more likely to be rogues or cowboys than anyone else and most are extremely professional and hardworking. But erring on the side of caution is probably wise.

Take particular care if you are employing a plumber to carry out gas work. Check that your plumber is registered with CORGI. Registration numbers can be checked on CORGI’s website - www.corgi-gas-safety.com. Operatives working for a registered installer will also carry a card which can be checked by a householder.

Good luck finding your ideal plumber. If you find a really great plumber in your area, please do let me know via my website.

Caroline Blatchford is the founder of Local Service Guide which helps people to find the local services which they need in the UK. Whether you need a plumber, a restaurant or a letting agent, go to http://www.LocalServiceGuide.com