My Plumbing Work Didn’t Pass Inspection – Here’s What Happened

If you’ve recently had to get a plumbing permit for a home renovation or other serious plumbing work, you may be wondering how you can make sure you pass a plumbing inspection. What are some common issues with plumbing changes that can make your home fail an inspection?

Find out below or watch this funny video of plumber causes major flood in apartment

1. Problems with Plumbing Traps

House traps for plumbing are a type of pipe that creates a water barrier under a drain, trapping water to prevent nasty and potentially-dangerous sewer gases from escaping into your home. There are lots of different types of traps in plumbing, but some of them are not allowed due to Pennsylvania building codes.

This includes “S” traps, which are shaped like a horizontal S. Your plumber may use under sinks and in other areas either without realizing they violate the plumbing code, or because they don’t care that it’s a violation.

S traps are not allowed because, when draining a lot of water, they may cause a “siphoning” effect that eliminates the water barrier and allows dangerous sewer gases into your home.

You need to make sure that you or your plumber uses P traps or another type of plumbing trap that is allowed by the Pennsylvania Residential Code of 2009.

2. Test Leaks in Plumbing Systems

If you have hired a plumber who doesn’t know their stuff or you try to take on a plumbing job yourself, you may end up with a leaky plumbing system.

If your pipes are leaking in Pennsylvania when the plumbing inspector shows us, you can bet your bottom dollar that you’ll fail the inspection.

3. Improperly-Sized Pipes & Drains

Pennsylvania, like all other states, has strict requirements outlined in the building codes relating to the proper width and diameter of pipes, drains, and other plumbing elements. If you do plumbing work yourself or hire a plumber who is not familiar with local building requirements, improperly-sized pipes could lead to a plumbing inspection failure – and the entire project may need to be replaced or reworked.

4. Failure to Use Nail Plates & Guards Near Important Pipes

Building codes in most states require nail guards to be installed anywhere water pipes run through or near wall studs. These metal plates protect the pipe from damage if a nail or screw is driven through the stud during a remodel or some other project.

They are required because nails driven into unprotected studs that contain or are near pipes could pierce the pipe. This is particularly dangerous for plastic pipes made of PVC.

Here are a few other reasons you may fail on your plumbing:

https://youtu.be/xpsLXmntINE

Turn to A Pro for Plumbing Work & Make Sure You Pass Inspection!

At Deluxe Plumbing & Heating, we’re intimately familiar with plumbing and building codes in Bethlehem and Pennsylvania. If you need some plumbing work done, don’t try to do it yourself, or hire an unlicensed plumber. Contact the pros – give us a call at 610-628-1724 or get in touch online, and we’ll provide you with the professional plumbing services you need!

source https://www.deluxeplumbing.com/post/my-plumbing-work-didn-t-pass-inspection-here-s-what-happened

Understanding Your Bethlehem Water Utility Bill – Your Quick Guide

If you live in Bethlehem, PA, you may have found that your water utility bill looks a bit different.

So, in this guide from Deluxe Plumbing & Heating, we’ll take a look at your Bethlehem water bill and discuss what it means.

Section A – Header

This section is located at the very top of your bill. It includes your basic personal information, including:

• Service address
• Date of billing
• Due date for payment
• Account number
• Total amount due

Section B – Account Summary

This section is located directly under Section A, and includes an overview of your past bills and payments.

Section C – Current Charges

Located directly beneath Section B, this section of your Bethlehem water bill has a detailed breakdown of your total charges for the current billing period.

Section D – Message Center

This is located to the upper-left of the bill, and contains any special messages about your services, as well as contact information for the Bethlehem Sewer and Water Resources Department.

Section E – Total Amount Due

This shows the amount you owe to the city on or before your water bill’s due date. It’s located just below section C.

Section F – Water Consumption Graph

Located just below Section D on the lower-left, this graph lets you get an “at-a-glance” look at your water consumption compared to your previous billing periods. Be on the lookout for big spikes. This could indicate a water leak or another such issue if your water use has not changed.

Section G – Meter Readings

This section is located just below Section E, and it details your last two-meter readings, and your units and usage for the current billing period.

Section H – Payment Coupon

Located just below section G, this is where you’ll detach the bill and return it in the envelope along with your payment.

Pay Attention to Your Water Bill

It’s always a good idea to pay attention to your water consumption to save money, and if you notice major spikes in water usage, this may indicate unnoticed leaks in your home, and you should call Deluxe Plumbing & Heating right away for help.

Call today at 610-628-1724 or contact us online for the assistance you need.

source https://www.deluxeplumbing.com/post/understanding-your-bethlehem-water-utility-bill-your-quick-guide

Should I Purchase A Water Softener from Lowe’s Or Home Depot?

Water softeners are an excellent addition to your home, and can remove calcium, magnesium, and other minerals from your water, resulting in water that tastes better, is more effective for home cleaning, and doesn’t form soap scum in the shower.

But you may be wondering where to buy water softeners.

And if you’re DIY’er, your thoughts have probably already turned to Lowe’s water softeners or Home Depot water softeners.

But should you buy one of these units?

Let’s find out now!

Should I Purchase A Water Softener from Lowe’s?

Lowe’s has a lot of different water softeners for sale, but the principal brand they sell is A.O. Smith, which offers 35,000 to 50,000 grain water softeners.

The “grain” capacity refers to how much water the softener can treat in a day. The cost of these water softeners ranges from $357 to about $797, which is not bad!

However, it’s important to note that, when choosing a Lowe’s water softener, the employees at Lowe’s are far from specialists.

They may not be able to guide you toward the right unit for your needs – so you’ll need to do plenty of your own research and come prepared.

Should I Purchase A Water Softener from Home Depot?

Thinking about browsing Home Depot water softeners instead? Like Lowe’s, Home Depot has plenty of units available. Its most popular units are from GE, which is definitely a reputable manufacturer.

Again, like Lowe’s, the GE water softeners from Home Depot are available in a wide variety of sizes ranging from 30,000 to 40,2000 grains, with prices varying from $397 to $799, so you have lots of options to choose from.

You Can Save With DIY Installation, But You Can Also Get Installation Services

The low cost of Lowe’s or Home Depot water softeners may make them seem appealing, but unless you’re an experienced DIY’er, you may not be able to handle the installation and setup on your own.

In that case, you’ll need to hire an installation company to install and set up your Home Depot or Lowe’s water softener. You can hire an installer through Lowe’s or Home Depot, but it’s important to note that these are just contractors – not employees of the company.

They are not affiliated with the business at all, and their level of experience installing water softeners can vary quite a bit.

You’ll Be Responsible for Maintenance If You Choose Lowe’s Or Home Depot

Home Depot and Lowe’s may be able to help you with water softener installation through contractors, but that’s where support ends. You’ll be responsible for maintaining your water softener on your own if you choose the DIY route and buy a Lowe’s or Home Depot water softener.

This can be time-consuming and difficult if you have no past experience with water softening units.

In almost every case, when the water heater breaks down you need to call the 800 number on the pamphlet and troubleshoot the problems with phone support – have you ever had to do that before? Ouch - what a time waster!

If you don’t maintain your water softener properly, you could even shorten its lifespan, so make sure you read the instructions carefully and service your unit regularly.

Buying A Lowe’s Or Home Depot Water Softener Isn’t Always A Great Idea

If you’re an experienced DIY’er, have worked with water softeners before, and don’t mind a bit of troubleshooting and routine maintenance, you may want to buy a Home Depot or Lowe’s water softener to save some money.

But if you’d prefer to leave everything up to the experts, it’s best to hire a professional plumbing company like Deluxe Plumbing & Heating.

We can handle it all – from testing the hardness of your water and choosing a properly-sized unit from Puronics Water Treatment Solutions, to installing and setting up your water softener, and maintaining the water lines to and from the water softener system.

So, if buying a Home Depot or Lowe’s water softener is beginning to sound like more trouble than it’s worth, don’t bother with the headache.

Get in touch with Deluxe Plumbing & Heating Services to explore your water softening options today by contacting us online or calling us at 610-628-1724.

source https://www.deluxeplumbing.com/post/should-i-purchase-a-water-softener-from-lowe-s-or-home-depot

Are There Home Air Purification Systems That Can Install into Your Existing Duct Work?

Whether you have allergies, lots of pets, or just want cleaner, purer air in your home, home air purification systems are a great option.

But you may be worried that you’ll need new duct work to install a whole-home air purification system – and that can be expensive.

Don't worry, though!

There are plenty of air purifiers that can install into your existing HVAC system.

Learn more and see how they work below!

Don’t HVAC Air Filters Purify My Air? Yes – But Not Completely

First, you may be wondering if you really need a home air purification system. After all, you swap your home’s air filter regularly.

Isn’t that enough? Not quite.

https://youtu.be/4cVIDbn2bWk

Your HVAC filter is designed to filter out a lot of different large particles such as pet hair and dander, dust, and other particles that could clog up your ventilation ducts.

These filters do not capture tiny particles like allergens, microbes, and contaminants like VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which can reduce the quality of your indoor air.

If you want to eliminate these particles, an air purifier that uses a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter or similar technologies to purify the air. Dedicated air purifiers filter out much smaller particles, eliminating up to 97% or more of contaminants in your air.

Using a dedicated air purifier has lots of benefits. You can reduce odors from smoke and pets, breathe more easily if you have asthma or allergies, and even reduce your risk of contracting airborne diseases.

Understanding How Clean Air Defense Products Purify the Air

There are a lot of different types of air filters. But the simplest type of filters, such as Clean Air Defense filters, don’t require any ductwork or additional equipment at all.

Instead, these filters slide into the existing slot where your traditional HVAC filter would go – requiring absolutely no modifications, but providing much better filtering power. Just slide it in, and you’re good to go.

Air filters use what’s known as “electronic polarized-media technology” to capture small particles. An electric current is sent through the filter, which attracts tiny particles and captures them, attaching them to the filter media and preventing them from getting into your indoor air.

Clean Air Defense products capture 97% of all particles up to .3 microns in diameter, and this includes smoke, dander, mold, and other such hard-to-capture particles.

https://youtu.be/bgEd_lZR8PE

Interested in A Whole-Home Air Purification System? Contact Us Now!

If you’re looking for an air purifier that can clean the air for your entire home, Deluxe Plumbing & Heating is here to help. We offer Clean Air Defense products that can be easily installed into your existing HVAC system – with no ductwork modifications. That makes it the best air purifier on the market for people on a budget.

Interested in learning more? Contact Deluxe Plumbing & Heating to get more details, and see if a home air purification system may be right for you and your family.

source https://www.deluxeplumbing.com/post/are-there-home-air-purification-systems-that-can-install-into-your-existing-duct-work