Your old house has got more than character!
Old houses have a lot of charm, they have a personality and a history. Sometimes, they also come with creaky pipes. Creaky pipes may be enough to send chills up your spine after a scary movie, or just the thing to keep you up the night before an early meeting. It’s all part of the package, right?
It doesn’t have to be. Here’s a great video that will walk you through exactly what’s causing the creaking and groaning as well as a few tips that will help you quiet things down inside your house.Click here to view!
*Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/43164076@N06/4245321606Drain cleaners – can they cause long-term damage?
There’s nothing worse that turning on your sink, only to notice that it’s filling up faster than it’s draining. Or worse, to find out it’s not draining at all.
We’ve heard a lot of wives tales about how to clear this up, and we’ve also heard a lot of horror stories. So, what do you do? Are drain cleaners safe? Do you call a plumber?Drain cleaners in general are made of a chemical or enzyme based formula - which work to eat away at clogs. In the process these clearing formulas often sit against your pipes, creating heat and gases and possible eating away at them too.There isn’t a one-size fits all approach to at home drain cleaners because not every home, pipe system or clog is the same. The majority of problems occur when homeowners use drain cleaners repeatedly or frequently on a reoccurring issue.We recommend trying natural methods to clear out any simple clogs (good ‘ol baking soda and vinegar can sometimes do the trick), if it’s your first time and you’re confident your pipes are in good condition, go ahead and try a drain cleaner. If you’re still experiencing problems after that – it’s time to give us a call at (970) 221-1274. You can also visit our website at http://www.apexrooterandplumbing.com/./>
*Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/17534006@N00/3294300940
Does your septic tank need to be checked?
Signs that your septic tank needs a check-up:
Waste water seeping into the field – when your septic tank isn’t serviced, the sludge level rises allowing waste water to discharge into your yard or the field. Be mindful of excess water in or around your home.Foul odor – often times, as your septic tank beings to back up, you’ll notice a sour, or putrid odor.Waste water backups – finding waste backup in toilets, sinks or other places around the home is a sure sign that something isn’t functioning correctly.Water bubbles – discovering the presence of bubbles in your toilets – bubbling back after a flush means something could be off. Also, take notice of sinks that begin to make a gurgling sound as they drain.These are the four main signs that your septic system is due for a check-up. Your septic system may not be the most glamorous part of your home, but it’s definitely one you want keep in good working health.*Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/81833876@N00/5227436224
Protect your family by maintaining your sprinkler systems backflow preventer!
Did you know that your sprinkler system in most places, is required by law to have a backflow device that is maintained and checked by a professional every year? And even if it isn’t required by law, the only smart choice is to do an annual test to ensure you are protecting your family and pets from cross-contamination.
Your landscape has all sorts of nasty things in it that can make you and your family very sick if you were to drink them. Things such as chemicals used on your lawns such as fertilizers, pesticides and even animal waste. All of these harmful things can come back up in your irrigation pipes into your families’ drinking water if you do not stop them by using a backflow preventer. The backflow preventer is used to protect you when the valve breaks or leaks, which eventually will happen over time.
And remember that if your backflow preventer is not installed correctly it will not work! Having a professional installation is worth the extra cost to make sure it is done right. Also, have your backflow preventer checked annually to make sure it is operating properly; it is recommended early spring as you are getting your irrigation system ready for the season.
So protect your families’ health and by maintaining your backflow preventer on your sprinkler system. It is the only choice!
If you would like more information or to schedule your backflow preventer installation, testing and certification, call Apex and talk to one of our technicians about how we can help. (970)221-1274 or visit www.apexrooter andplumbing.com
Plumbing tips for getting your cabin ready for the summer season.
Spring is finally here which means summer is around the corner. For all of you that are anxiously awaiting the arrival of summer and getting to your cabin it is time to start thinking about about these plumbing tips to help you get your cabin ready for the season:
1) Inspect all of your plumbing to make sure there is no freezing damage.
2) Open valves to hot water tank and the sink faucets and check for leaks
3) Purge air from lines by opening up the sink and bathtub faucets
4) Turn on power to water heater after the tank is filled with water
5) Flush any pipes that had plumbing anti-freeze in their lines
6) Check you septic tank level
Now that you have your cabin prepped for the season you can relax and enjoy your family and friends or some time to yourself!
If you would like more information on getting your cabin ready for the summer or are located in the Northern Colorado and would like assistance, call Apex and talk to one of our technicians about how we can help. (970)221-1274 or visit www.apexrooter andplumbing.com.
Apex Rooter, Plumbing and Septic Services Shares Backflow Prevention Q&A – Part II
· Who can perform a backflow test and certification - Only qualified testers that have completed cross connection training courses and hold the appropriate state certification(s) may perform the backflow device test.
· I have an in ground lawn sprinkler system at my residence. Am I required to have a backflow device and have it tested - In ground sprinkler systems are required to have a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device installed on the water line servicing the system. The backflow device must also be periodically tested in accordance with the state testing requirements.
· What can you do to prevent backflow situations in your home or business?
o Be aware of and eliminate and/or protect cross connections.
o Maintain air gaps on sinks and when using hoses.
o Do not submerge hoses or place them where they could become submerged.
o Use hose bib vacuum breakers on fixtures (hose connections in the basement, laundry room, and on outside faucets/spigots).
o Install approved backflow prevention devices on lawn irrigation systems and on fire sprinkler system services.
o Do not create a connection between an auxiliary water system (well, cistern, body of water) and the water supply plumbing.
· Why should you be concerned?
o Backflow may affect the quality of the drinking water at your facility and has the potential to create health hazards if contaminated water enters your water supply plumbing system and is used for drinking, cooking or bathing.
o Backflow events occur more often than you might think although most do not create health hazards.
o Unprotected cross-connections with water supply plumbing or public drinking water piping systems are prohibited by law.
o You are responsible for protecting your water supply plumbing from backflow that may contaminate your drinking water and the drinking water of others. This includes complying with the plumbing code and not creating unprotected cross connections.
If you would like more information on backflow installation, testing and certification for your home or business, call Apex and talk to one of our technicians. (970)221-1274 or visit www.apexrooter andplumbing.com. Apex is licensed and insured – License No. 000189979
Apex Rooter, Plumbing and Septic Services Shares Backflow Prevention Q&A's – Part I
· What is a backflow preventer device? A properly working backflow preventer does not allow water, once it enters a building, to return to the municipal potable water supply thus insuring safe drinking water. The Safe Drinking Water Act requires all backflow prevention devices to be tested and certified annually. · What is backflow? Backflow is the reversal of water flow through a cross connection from a possible source of contamination into the public drinking water system. Backflow may be caused by either backpressure or backsiphonage. A loss of pressure in the public drinking water system may lead to backsiphonage through unprotected cross connections, or backpressure may be created when the water pressure of a facility’s internal water system is elevated above the supply pressure of the public drinking water system resulting in backflow through unprotected cross connections. · What is a backflow prevention program? Backflow prevention is a program, which combines the efforts of water producing companies, property owners and certified testers to ensure safe and healthy potable drinking water for everyone.
· What is Cross-Connection? Cross-connection means any unprotected actual or potential connection or structural arrangement between a public or a consumer's potable water system and any other source or system through which it is possible to introduce into any part of the potable system any used water, industrial fluid, gas, or substance not meeting drinking water requirements in these regulations. By-pass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or changeover devices and other temporary or permanent devices through which or because of which "backflow" can or may occur are considered to be cross-connections.
· Why do you need to have your backflow preventer tested? Federal, State and Local Laws, regulations and ordinances require that backflow preventer assemblies be tested annually. It is the responsibility of the business/building owner to insure safe drinking water for their customers and employees.
· Who is responsible for having the backflow device tested? It is the responsibility of the property owner to have the backflow device tested by a qualified tester. It is also the responsibility of the property / business owner to schedule their own test appointment.
If you would like more information on backflow installation, testing and certification for your home or business, call Apex and talk to one of our technician at (970)221-1274 or visit www.apexrooter andplumbing.com. Apex is licensed and certified – License No. 000189979
Why a Tankless Water Heater? Why not!
Why a tankless water heater, the question should be - why not! If you are in the process of replacing a traditional water heater or exploring ways to save energy at home then we recommend that you consider investing in a tankless water heater.
A tankless water heater, also called instantaneous or demand water heaters, provide hot water only as it is needed. Traditional storage water heaters produce standby energy losses that cost you money. A tankless water heater is used only when there is a demand for hot water.
Tankless water heaters work by heating water directly without the use of a storage tank. Therefore, they avoid the standby heat losses associated with storage water heaters. When a hot water tap is turned on, cold water travels through a pipe into the unit. In an electric tankless water heater an electric element heats the water. In a gas-fired tankless water heater a gas burner heats the water. As a result, tankless water heaters deliver a constant supply of hot water. You don’t need to wait for a storage tank to fill up with enough hot water.
Although energy savings is a major consideration when investing in a tankless water heater, there are also other benefits to consider:
1) An endless supply of hot water for the family – heat water on demand, and that means you never have to worry about running out of hot water.
2) Endless supply of water for any size home
3) No dirty tanks – water is heated as it passes through the unit so you will always be using a fresh supply of water. This process eliminates the rust and build-up scale inside a traditional tank – which is where your hot water is being stored for use.
4) Flexible installation – smaller
5) Lowering water heating bills
There are many benefits to a tankless water heater that should be considered and we have only named a few. If you would like more information on selecting the tankless water heater that is best for you and your family, call Apex and talk to one of our technicians about your options. (970)221-1274 or visit www.apexrooterandplumbing.com
Perks of being an APEX Plumbing Technician!
Most people may perceive that the job of a plumber might not have as many perks as some occupations. Some days I would have to agree, however if you service areas located in the beautiful mountains of Colorado you might agree that there are a few perks to our job.
During any service call, it isn’t rare to see the most majestic of views and the most beautiful of creatures big and small roaming through areas such as Red Feathers Lakes, Crystal Lakes and Livermore to name only a few.
Our technicians have frequent sitings of the cow moose and her calf’s breaking through the trees or experience a bull elk dart out in front of our service trucks knowing that impact would most likely damage the vehicle rather than the strong powerful animal.
It wouldn’t be fair if we kept these experiences to ourselves and not share with our customers and all of you that dream of experiencing the beauty of Colorado first hand. We hope that you enjoy our photo gallery!
If you are interested in learning more about Apex Rooter and Plumbing, call (970) 221-1274 or visit www.apexrooterandplumbing.com.



