5 Common Dishwasher Mistakes and How to avoid them

Everyone who has owned, or currently owns a dish washer, knows exactly why it is such an important tool in the kitchen. Owning a dishwasher cuts down an individual’s clean up time significantly. However, more importantly, it prevents germ and bacterial growth that hand washing cannot and is more economically friendly. If you do not currently own a dishwashing appliance you may want to consider one, but if you do – here are some common dishwashing mistakes to keep in mind for your next use!

Top Rack vs. Bottom Rack – Believe it or not – where you place your kitchen items actually does matter. Depending on the item, some can melt, crack, or warp as a result of which rack you place them on. What items should go on the top? Glasses, cups, larger serving or cooking utensils and bowls should be placed on the top rack. Likewise, plates, pots, and eating utensils should be placed on the bottom rack. It is also a good idea to carefully read up on some of your dishwasher-safe items, as many items are only “dishwasher-safe” on the top rack.

Dishwasher Detergent – Did you know that using the right dishwasher detergent, and following dishwasher detergent instructions, is actually critical to the entire process. Some believe that the more detergent they use, the cleaner their dishes will be. However, this is not necessary true. Many times this can leave a greasy residue on your plates and cook ware. Be sure to use the best detergent and read the directions carefully!

Blocking the Sprayer – Are you aware of where your dishwasher sprayer is? If not, it is a good idea to become familiar with its location. The dishwasher sprayer should be able to reach every dish in the cycle; this becomes difficult when the sprayer is blocked by a larger pot or pan. Sometimes your cycle will not end as clean as you would like, so be sure to leave room for your sprayer!

Nesting Utensils – Nesting utensils are the clusters of knives, forks, or spoons in the dishwasher that are notorious for sticking together and holding onto food or residue in the dishwasher. It is a great idea to alternate utensils in every which way to prevent these clusters. It will allow for a cleaner, residue-free cycle!

Unloading – Ah, the final step in the dishwasher process. A quick tip for unloading the dishwasher is to unload the bottom rack first. Many times the top rack items will pool excess water. If you unload the top rack first, this water will drip and spill on the cleaned and dried bottom dishes below.

 

How to remove rust stains from sinks, tubs, and toilets

Are you noticing harsh rust stains on your sinks, tubs, or toilets? Here at Rodger’s Plumbing, we know that such stains can be unsightly, luckily most staining can be successfully removed. We’ve provided some quick and easy options to successfully remove rust stains from your household.

Pumice Sticks – Pumice scouring sticks are great tools to remove stains from porcelain. All you have to do is wet the bar and rub the bar directly on the stain; the pumice paste that evolves will clean and polish the surface. Be sure to rinse off the pumice paste with water after scrubbing.

Lemon Juice and Salt – If you’re looking for a quick home remedy, that does not require a trip to the hardware store, try lemon juice and salt! This option works great on flat surfaces such as sinks and tub drains. Simply mix the two ingredients together, let the mixture sit on the surface for at least 30 minutes (or up to a few hours), and scrub away with a tooth brush. Rinse well with water.

Chemical Cleaners – Chemical cleaners such as The Works or Zud are great options for removing rust stains. Simply spray or pour the product on the problem area, let it set properly, and scrub the residue away with an abrasive surface or cleaning brush.  Again, be sure to rinse properly with water.

Buying a new home is an incredible, monumental time in someone’s life and everyone wants their new home to be the perfect match for them! This means careful examination of all that the home has to offer – with that is proper plumbing. When searching for a new home, keep an eye out for the following:

Leaky Pipes – Don’t be afraid to check under the kitchen or bathroom sinks for leaky pipes. In fact, this is critical in order to avoid future plumbing problems.

Water Heaters – The average life span of a water heater is 10 years, depending on the water quality, maintenance, and installation. Be sure to consider this and the location of the water heater when purchasing a new home. Will the location or age of the water heater cause an issue down the road if leaking or damaged?

Brown/Yellow stains on the ceiling – When you are walking through your potential new home don’t forget to examine the ceilings in each room. Visible brown or yellow spots on the ceilings can mean two things: leaky pipes or a leaking roof. Be sure to get this issue addressed prior to purchasing your new home.

Low water pressure/slow drainage – It is important to test every faucet, shower head, and bathtub in your potential new home prior to making an offer. If there is a lack of water pressure or water draining, this could mean a big plumbing problem. There could be some sort of blockage in the pipes and could be costly for you down the road.

Rattling, whistling, or loud pipes can be an annoyance in any household. Many wonder why this phenomenon occurs and if this serves as a serious plumbing issue. This answer to this question is quite simple – water hammer. Water hammer occurs when a member of a household has turned on a faucet, bathtub, etc. and has suddenly shut it off. All of the water that was running from the pipe suddenly crashes into the valve that blocks the water from continuing through the pipe, thus, creating a crashing or rattling sound in your home.

It is true not all homes encounter water hammer. That’s because it is determined by the age of your home…

Homes built before 1960’s – Many of these homes were built with air chambers installed in their pipe work to act as absorbers. These air chambers were meant to reduce water hammer from occurring, however, over a long period of time these chambers can become filled with water ultimately making them ineffective.

Homes built between the 1970s and 1990s – Homes built during this time frame typically have little to no protection from water hammer. Luckily, water arrestors can be installed and can stop water hammer from happening in your home. Leave it to the experts. Please contact Rodger’s Plumbing if you would like water arrestors installed in your home.

Homes built after 1990s – Fortunately the majority of modern homes were installed with water hammer arrestors. However, if you are still experiencing water hammer please contact Rodger’s Plumbing today!

Overloading the garbage disposal

Having a garbage disposal in your home is a powerful, handy tool – however, garbage disposals are not indestructible. In fact, it is possible to damage and overload your garbage disposal. For 2018, avoid tossing any egg shells, grease, pits or seeds, bones, coffee grounds, or stringy foods down your disposal.

Treating your toilet as a trash can

As we all know, it is very easy to simply flush smaller, harmless objects down the toilet when a trash can is not near. However, are these foreign objects actually harmless? Unfortunately, this is a common misconception and causes more damage then we think. Items such as paper towels, dental floss, wet wipes, cigarettes, or q-tips should not be flushed.

Pushing too hard on faucets

Ah – leaky faucets! Everyone’s biggest pet peeve. The biggest misconception when we are faced with a leaky faucet is to push down harder on the handle to make the leak stop. However, this will not solve the problem. Avoid this mistake in 2018 and call Rodger’s Plumbing to help!

Conserving Water

Fresh, clean water is a limited resource on our planet. Conserving water for 2018 can reduce energy use and save households money!

Hair in drain

We all know how easily lose hair can flow down our drains, however, stopping this in 2018 will save you the hassle of dealing with clogged drains in the future and will ultimately save you money. The best way to address this issue is by purchasing a hair stopper that catches the hair before it flows down your drain.

 

 

Pipes

Pipes are one of the most important parts of a plumbing system. They help water and debris flow from one place to the next without contamination or leakage. You may be wondering what the pipes under your sink are made of. Let us visit a few different materials used in piping through the years.</P

• Ceramic/Tile: Some pipes are made of ceramic or Clay Tile. This type of piping is inexpensive, but only useable in low-pressure applications such as drainage.
• Lead: Lead is a toxic metal linked to neurological disorders, so lead pipes should be replaced as soon as possible. They are common in old homes, built before safety regulations preventing their legal use in homes. This type of piping was mainly used for potable water lines.
• Steel: Steel was chosen for pipes in the middle of the 20^th Steel pipes replaced lead pipes for safety reasons. Steel exposed to water eventually rusts and is also very, very heavy, making the pipes unwieldy. Steel is still used in some applications today.
• Copper: Copper pipes are the standard for metal pipes in homes, being lightweight, non-toxic, and they do not rust. However, copper piping is expensive and can corrode over time. Copper can be used in a wide variety of applications, but is more commonly used for potable water. Copper pipes can also handle hot and pressurized water more easily than other types.
• PVC: PVC is a common option for piping because it is durable and lightweight. It is also easier to install than other types, does not rust or corrode like some metal pipes do, and is non-toxic. PVC is used for drainage more often than potable water, but can be used for both.
• Pex: PEX pipe is made from cross-linked HDPE (high density polyethylene). This pipe is suitable for a variety of potable plumbing applications. It is a new type of piping that is being installed more often due to its ease of use and durability. Pex pipe is cost efficient, however, the fittings and tools needed to connect it are not. This type of pipe is also not approved for outdoor applications because of continuous UV exposure.

 

If your copper pipes have a leak, or you think your old steel pipes need to be replaced, call Rodger’s Plumbing at (972) 931-1021! We’ll help fix any plumbing problems that may arise in your home.

Plumbing in the Ancient Era

We all know how uncomfortable it can be when we don’t have access to a toilet but need to go. It begs the question of how people in the ancient times used to make use of plumbing. You would be surprised to know that a lot of the plumbing fixtures we use today were invented in one way or another a long time ago!

One of the most amazing feats of ancient plumbing was the Roman aqueduct and sewer system. Owing to the wealth, prosperity, and engineering know-how of the Romans, they were also able to create a water system that would be one of the most advanced in the world up into the 1800’s. Romans built aqueducts to carry fresh running water over hundreds of miles for use in homes and baths. The Romans also had a sewer, which carried waste out of the city and into the River Tiber. The aqueducts poured unused water into the sewer, which helped to flush waste out of the city and keep it clean. The Romans even had a goddess who they thought watched over the sewer!

Of course, the Romans were not the only or first ones to develop plumbing systems. Over 4000 years ago, the Indus Valley Civilization demonstrated some sophisticated plumbing, with a working toilet system. The Greeks also made developments in the plumbing field with clay pipes during the Minoan period. The Mayans at Palenque had flush toilets, aqueducts, and even water filters. The Chapultepec aqueduct in the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan was destroyed by Hernan Cortes, eventually helping his conquest of the city.

Of course, modern advancements in plumbing helped spread these innovations from a few major cities to a large, growing portion of the population of the United States. There is a lot of history in your toilet, so do not take it for granted! If your drains need some cleaning, call Rodger’s Plumbing at (972) 931-1021!

Drip… drip… drip… A dripping faucet, in addition to being annoying, can be disastrous for your home’s water bill. Every drip is more water literally down the drain! Why do faucets drip, and what can you do to prevent it?

There are a few reasons why a faucet would drip. The first is fairly obvious, but a lot of people may miss it. When your faucet starts dripping, always make sure you turned the water off all the way! Sometimes, the handles of your faucet may get worn out and require slightly more force to turn off all the way. If your faucet still leaks and you are sure you have shut it off all the way, that means one of its parts has worn away. There are a variety of parts that can fail and cause leaks.

So, now you know where the dripping comes from. How do you fix it, and why should you do it as soon as possible? The best way to fix a leaking faucet is to call a plumber. They have the know-how and expertise to diagnose and fix the problem, and they know which parts are necessary to do the repair. You can also attempt to fix it yourself, but this can be challenging and poses its own problems, so consider why you want to fix it yourself and weigh the risks out. If your faucet drips 20 times per minute, every day 28,800 drips go down the drain, and you front the bill!

If you are tired of throwing money away on your leaky faucet, call Rodger’s plumbing at (972) 931-1021! We have all the tools necessary to fix your leaky situation.

Solar Water Heating

With the growing concern for fossil fuel consumption and prices, homeowners are increasingly moving to other sources of energy to heat their water supplies. One of the most popular options for alternative water heating is solar water heating. Using the energy of the sun, solar water heating can save homeowners money while being friendlier for the environment.

How do they work? Solar water heaters are broken up into two categories: passive and active systems. A passive solar water heating system has no pumps and is therefore less expensive to install and maintain. Water is moved from the collectors to the storage tank as it heats up. However, this comes at the price of lower efficiency. Passive solar heating installations will have less outflow of hot water than an active system. They are still a good choice for any home looking to save money and save the environment.

An active system is usually more expensive to install but is more efficient. It pumps heated fluid through a system of tubes to transfer heat to your water tank, then pumps this heated water into your house. The heat transfer is quick, but the pumps are more expensive and prone to wearing out quicker than a passive system.

Solar water heaters aren’t perfect. They have problems working with high demand and when the sun isn’t out. Most solar water heaters are backed up with a conventional water heater in case the demand can’t be met. However, they’re a good choice for any environmentally conscious consumers looking to lower both their footprint and their energy bills.

Holiday Plumbing Tips

The holiday season is fast approaching. When you have guests over at your house, the last thing you want is to have plumbing issues. Improper disposal of household waste can cause plumbing issues in the bathroom and the kitchen, putting your holiday in jeopardy. Follow these tips to avoid a holiday plumbing disaster!

• Don’t pour grease down the drain: Pouring grease down your drain can cause clogs and prevent your sink from draining. Grease and oil can congeal and be extremely hard to dislodge from your plumbing. Prevention is the best way to stop oil clogs in your sink.
• Watch what you put in your garbage disposal: Some items are absolutely awful for your garbage disposal. Bones are one of the worst culprits and can damage your garbage disposal. Lettuce, egg shells, and coffee grounds can also be hard to grind. Avoid putting all of these items into the garbage disposal and instead throw them into the trash bin.
• Care for your toilet: Toilets can easily clog if improper items are flushed down them. Wet wipes and other products can cause your toilet to be clogged and should be disposed of in a trash can. Avoid putting items near or above the toilet that can fall in and accidentally get flushed.
• Space out your hot water usage: Don’t run every hot water appliance at once. Space out the use of your washing machine, dishwasher, and shower.

Keeping your plumbing functional over the holidays is imperative to keep you and your guests happy. Are you in need of some work in anticipation of your holiday gathering? Call us at (972) 931-1021!