As the mercury rises, you may start to think your water-conserving practices are no longer needed. It may seem like as good of a time than ever to make a few exceptions and use up your precious water to cool down.
But, what if we told you that you can still enjoy outdoor summer activities while also conserving water at the same time?
Here are our top five favorite water-saving outdoor summer fun activities:
Running Through the Sprinkler
Nothing says “summer” like running through the sprinkler! This easy and effortless activity requires little doing on your part and results in major fun and memories made for your kids.
Put your sprinkler's time when your family can enjoy it too and get double the use out of the sprinkler. You’ll be irrigating your lawn while cooling down the family at the same time.
Get Creative with PVC Piping
After making sure your hose is in good working conditioner, head to the hardware store and pick up some PVC piping. You can drill tiny holes into the piping and connect it to the hose in any configuration you can think of.
Either running the pipe on the ground or creating an outdoor PCV cube, the possibilities are endless. Your kids will be blown away by their own personal splash pad.
Do the Limbo
We know the limbo as a fun party activity with a long stick and some funky tunes, but what if the limbo stick was made from a stream of water instead?
Use the hose to create a dynamic limbo stick that your kids will want to touch! Blast some fun music and watch the limbo evolve into a fit of hose spraying, laughing, and fun for all.
War of the Sponges
Water fights are another fun outdoor activity, but water balloons are wasteful since you can only use them once. A better alternative is a sponge fight! Distribute colorful sponges to family members and place buckets of water around your property for refills and let the war of the sponges begin.
Another use for water sponges is a minute-to-win-it style game where participants are required to move water from one full bucket to another empty bucket using only a sponge. You’re sure to cool down as you soak up water and try to transfer it to the other bucket without spilling.
DIY Slip and Slide
Slip and slides are endless fun in the summer. Did you know you can make your own version of a slip and slide using materials you probably already have at home?
For the slippery surface, try using a painter’s tarp or a few heavy-duty garbage bags taped together.
Once you’ve placed the surface in a location without any rocks or sharp edges, simply squirt a small amount of dish soap and add a few buckets of water for an amazing DIY slip and slide!
Your home is a huge investment. When something goes wrong, it’s important to invest in a quick repair that will reduce damage, lower costs, and prevent future issues.
Water leaks are a common problem that many homeowners face, however, a surprising number of homeowners don’t know how to deal with them.
Here’s some useful water leak detection advice you can use in your home:
Invest in Regular Maintenance
Just like everything else in your home, upkeep is important.
The same way you go to the dentist or get a check-up at the doctor, making sure your pipes are in good condition is the best way to prevent leaks and pipe damage.
Some of the most important maintenance services you should schedule include:
Annual or bi-annual drain cleaning to prevent the buildup of grease and debris. Drain cleaning also promotes a healthy and long-lasting plumbing system.
Regular pipe inspections to point out any problem areas or minor leaks that need to be repaired.
When the pipes are no longer functional, and regular repairs are not sufficient, invest in repiping to prevent future issues and save money in the long run.
Understand the Effects of Water Leaks
Homeowners often see minor water leaks as just that: minor. However, it’s a slippery slope to go from a small plumbing leak to an expensive water leak disaster. Before you decide whether or not to call a professional, consider the effects of leaving a water leak without being repaired in your home:
Rising water bills
Rot and structural damage
Mold growth
As soon as you understand the risks involved with plumbing leaks, you will understand why it’s so important to take care of these leaks right away.
Let the Professionals Do Their Job
Hands down, the best way to find the source of a water leak in your plumbing system is with the help of a professional plumber.
Although you may use common sense to find the general location of the leak, only a professional can pinpoint the source and determine the severity of the problem.
We use several advanced leak detection methods to find the source of the problem. Some of the most effective methods include:
Dig and drill to dig into your wall or floor to locate and expose the damaged pipe for a quick repair.
Infrared technology allows us to take multiple photos of the pipe at different angles to see what’s going on.
Meter testing involves measuring the water pressure in your pipes and comparing it to a healthy pipe to determine if there is a leak.
All of these methods are effective at finding leaks. They also facilitate quicker repairs and ensure we get the job done efficiently.
Choosing to remodel your kitchen or bathroom is a big step financially, and mentally. You’ve dreamed of this for years, but deciding to follow through with the decision can be hard.
With the right plumber, renovating your bathroom or kitchen can be an enjoyable experience!
There are plenty of considerations when remodeling these major spaces, especially if it’s your first experience with renovations.
Design, plan, and implement the changes necessary to get the kitchen or bathroom of your dreams by following these reliable tips:
Hiring the Right Plumbing Professional
When you’re researching a plumbing contractor to undertake your kitchen or bathroom renovation, perform the following checks:
Make sure they are fully certified and trained to work as a licensed plumber.
Review their website for testimonials, reviews, or a portfolio of past projects, to see if their skills align with the results you expect.
Inquire with friends or family to see if they have experience with a particular plumber.
You should never feel pressured or rushed into making a decision regarding hiring a plumber.
Take your time, and find a professional who can envision your wishes, and deliver you the kitchen or bathroom of your dreams.
Plan the Remodel In Advance
Before taking on a renovation project, whether you plan to do the work alone or with a contractor, you must do your research. Especially before any financial decisions are made.
By planning ahead, you’ll be able to save time during the process, and perhaps even some money. Use the following tips during the planning process, and save yourself a future headache: Discover your exact plumbing needs ahead of time. Regardless of whether you’re renovating a bathroom or kitchen, find out your existing plumbing system layout to the best of your abilities. Review your home’s blueprints if you have them. Remember, a plumber cannot see through walls, but can simply use their existing knowledge and experience to determine how your plumbing system works. Stick to your original plans after you’ve begun. Choosing to change plans once a renovation is underway can be costly, and perhaps even unachievable. Consider any upgrades before you start. This step is dependent on whether you’re upgrading large fixtures.
For example, if you’re adding a large jetted tub to your bathroom, you may need to also install a larger water heater capable of delivering more hot water.
When calculating your renovation project costs, reserve 10% of the end total for emergency funds.
Considerations for Plumbing and Fixture Updates
When you’re purchasing new fixtures for your kitchen or bathroom renovation, try to invest in quality fixtures where you can.
Most of the time, high-quality fixtures are also eco-friendly and perform more efficiently than cheaper counterparts. If your renovation involves exposing pipes, have a plumbing professional give them a “check-up.”
An expert will be able to locate any weak spots or damaged areas and replace them before the walls or new fixtures are installed.
On June 9th, Valley Plumbing sponsored the 18th hole for the Angel Hands Foundation Golf Tournament at the Talons Cove Golf Course . We held a chipping contest to see who could chip a golf ball into the toilet, which was positioned near the tee box. While the laughs and attempts were priceless, we were proud to award 2 winners a new Toto top-of-the-line toilet, fully installed. Overall, over $30,000 was raised from the golf tournament for the Angel Hands Foundation. Thank you to everyone who participated. And congratulations to our winners! 18th Hole of the Talons Cove Golf Course
Win a free Toto toilet when you pitch your ball into the toilet.
Congratulations to our 1st winner - Gordon Bowen!
Congratulations to our 2nd winner - Kurt Whitehead!
Thanks to Corry Snow for all his hard work on the tournament this year!
Modern plumbing is designed to be safe, convenient and protect us from the old horrors of open sewers. So it fails in its job if sulfurous, rotten egg smells waft from drains and water pours from faucets.
There are many reasons this can happen, including clogged drains, cracked drain pipes, loose-fitting pipe connections, blocked vents and sewer back-ups.
With their know-how and expertise, the licensed professional technicians of Valley Plumbing can help you get to the root of your odor problem and find a solution.
1. Faulty Vents and Traps
To prevent sewer gases from backing up into homes, modern sinks in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms are usually equipped with curving P-traps underneath.
They collect water in the bottom of their U-shaped pipe to form a seal that doesn’t allow sewer gases to back up.
But if the traps dry out because of lack of use, high temperatures, or a leak, then this protection is removed.
The P-trap also requires proper venting, permitting air to come in to equalize the fluctuating pressure in the sewer lines, enabling the gases to flow up the stack to the outside.
If the venting gets plugged with snow, debris, or animal nest, the air can be pushed back down, breaking the seal in the P-trap and letting the noxious sewer odors flow in.
2. Water Heater Odors
Water heaters are a prime culprit when it comes to rotten-egg water smells. Odor-causing bacteria can grow in their moist interiors if the heat hasn’t been set high enough to kill the bacteria or if the water heater hasn’t been used for a long time.
A corroded anode rod can also be the culprit. Discolored water – brown, yellow, red, green – can also indicate corrosion in the water heater or pipes.
3. Sewer Line Back-ups
Gases from sewer lines backing up are not just bad smelling but can contain methane and bacteria that may pose dangers to your health, causing headaches and worse ailments.
As well, high concentrations of methane gas are combustible, which could lead to an explosion in an extreme case.
If the problem is in the main sewer line, then the city or municipality will handle it. One way to tell if this is the case is if your neighbors also have the issue.
However, if the sewer is backing up through a single sink, toilet, or other drains, then the problem is in your private sewer line (which connects to the mainline), and you will have to contact a plumbing professional for help.
Need more Information?
Contact Us:
Testimonials
"Called Valley Plumbing, they came out the next day, moved a toilet and washing machine drain in basement concrete floor, then rebuilt the main plumbing drain stack in the wall coming from the upper floor. They responded fast and did great work. The technicians name is Lennox Jones. 5 stars for Lennox and Valley Plumbing."
Terry M.
"Valley Plumbing has saved me several times. Their after hours cost is the same or less than others normal cost during normal hours. They know what they are doing and arrive promptly. If you have a plumbing issue give them a call. You will be thankful."
Jake M.
"Al from Valley Plumbing just did a great job for us today. He was very thorough in troubleshooting our plumbing problem and did a great job with the work to be done. Satisfied customer here!"
Your experience matters. We make every effort to provide you with a pleasant, hassle-free experience that will leave you with the peace of mind you deserve.
Superior Customer Service
Superior Customer Service
Our team not only possesses the technical skills to get the job done, but they are also passionate about providing the best customer service possible to every client.
Competitive, Honest Pricing
Competitive, Honest Pricing
Not only do we strive to provide fast and reliable service, we do it at a fair, competitive price. You will always receive a free onsite estimate before we go ahead with any project.
24/7 Live Answer
24/7 Live Answer
You can count on Valley Plumbing and Drain Cleaning to ease the burden of plumbing and drain emergencies. Rest easy knowing you have a trusted 24-hour emergency plumber nearby to help!
