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

How to Prepare Your Home for Freezing Weather

“Helpful tips and preparations to alleviate emergencies and protect your home.”

Update: 01/27/2021

At Deluxe Plumbing & Heating, we are not only passionate about our work, but we are passionate about arming our customers with insight to better prepare you home for freezing temperatures and the havoc it can do to your home’s plumbing & appliances.

We feel it is our top priority to send this to you due to local forecast predicting temperatures under 20 degrees for 72+ hours. What does this mean for you? This is our greatest window that we see an increase in emergency calls. We never like to see anyone faced with an emergency situation, especially when a large part of the issues we see can be prevented by simple preparations and general awareness.

We would like to go through a list of common factors that you can easily go through your home and take care of. Please be mindful not every home has the exact items or situations we are going to cover! As always, if you have any feedback for us how we can improve our service to better serve you, please feel free to reach out!

Why Should I be Concerned?

Frozen pipes are not only a temporary nuisance, but can also cause catastrophic damage to your home- often times without you even knowing! The type of piping your home has will better aid us in how to best fix the issue.

• Metal pipe: galvanized and/or copper we utilize a machine that connects to your home to thaw the freeze.
• Pex pipe: the only way to thaw is with a heat gun or hair dryer. *Be cautions: if you attempt this yourself, you may overheat the pex, causing it to melt or split open.

Did you know hot water lines will freeze quicker? Or a slight breeze can also create frozen pipes? Taking the time to block any breeze or draft can make all the difference. Something as simple as silicon can do the trick!

Don’t overlook lines on outside or close to the foundation walls! We have seen a lot of older homes with water lines running up an outside wall. This is a recipe for disaster in cold climates! If you have lived in your home for a while, you will know if this is a reoccurring issue, but if you are new to your home this may be something you’ll want to look at. The lines on an outside wall need to be well insulated and close to the interior wall. They should also be free of drafts hitting the lines directly.

What to Look For:

We cannot cover all areas of concern for cold weather, but a few key places to start are:

• Outside faucets: make sure your hose is disconnected. If it is an anti-freeze spigot, you should be fine as long as it was installed with the proper pitch to the outside. If it is a sillcock, there should be a shut off valve inside, but typically most homeowners have an anti freeze model. Please reference the photos below.

Condensate Drains

If you have a 90+ gas furnace or boiler, there will be a condensate drain. Make sure it does not exit the home through a small hose. This may freeze and completely shut down the entire system. If we installed your system, do not fret, this is not a practice we do.

Coal Cellar

Most homes built in the early to mid 1900’s (like most row/twin homes in Allentown, Easton & Bethlehem) have a old coal cellar near the front of your home, typically underneath your front porch. In present times, this may house your water service. Try to keep that room warm and free of draft from windows. If you wrap the pipe in heat tape, double check to make sure the heat tape and outlet are in good working order!

Baseboard Heat & Radiators

If you have a boiler heating system, you want to check a few things. First, you want to make sure the location of your boiler isn’t too cold- even if this is in a room that you typically do not mind if it gets a bit cooler.

If you have a radiator near a window that is cracked open, it has the potential to freeze and crack! Definitely not a sound you want to hear!

You will want to make sure there are no exposed spots around your home where outside air can hit your heat lines directly. Look for cracks or separations in the walls!

General rule: hot lines will ALWAYS freeze first!

Heat Pumps

If you have a heat pump, make sure your indoor filter is new to ensure your system is working as efficiently as possible. The less strain on your system, the better!

source https://www.deluxeplumbing.com/post/how-to-prepare-your-home-for-freezing-weather

Winter To-Do List for Your Partner Before Temperatures Really Start to Drop

Winter is now here and most homeowners will be busy getting the house ready for the changes that come with freezing temperatures.

The cold season can take a toll on various systems, including your water heater, air conditioning, drains and pipes.

If you are preparing a honey-to-do list for your significant other, we have put together some of the crucial things to focus on.

Here's a quick overview of 16 things your better half should do to get the home and family ready for winter.

CHECKLIST

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1. Put Lawn Furniture Away

If you have furniture on your lawn, open decks and other exposed outdoor spaces, you should put them away- considering you won't need them until winter is gone. Freezing temperatures and increased moisture can quickly damage lawn furniture.

2. Get Your Heating Ready

Depending on the heating unit you have, you should schedule an inspection and service to make sure it is ready for winter. You ,should clear your vent pipes of all obstructions. Boilers require annual cleaning accomplished before temperatures start dipping. Other preparations include inspecting the radiators, changing furnace filters and setting ductwork damper to "winter" and fixing thermostat issues.

3. Clean Your Roof

If your partner is up to the task, you can have them get on the roof and blow off the sticks and leaves. Also, while they are up there tell them to hang the Christmas lights and other decorations - if you are into that of course!

4. Clean Out the Gutters

The gutters will have dust, leaves and debris buildup leading into winter. As such, you should have them cleaned to remove all obstructions. You don’t want to have a Clark Griswold moment and send ice flying out of your gutters into the neighbors entertainment center do we? “Honey, just clean out the gutters - okay?!

5. Check Smoke and Carbon Detectors

Up to 27% of winter fires result from heating, so it is important to ensure your systems have adequate protection and circuit breakers. You should check all smoke and CO detectors and install them in all rooms. Make sure the batteries have enough power to last all winter.

6. Brush Out the Fireplace and Chimney

You should have your fireplace cleaned using a chimney sweep to remove any bird nests, debris and creosote buildup. It is wise to have a technician check for cracks and other issues that require repair before temperatures get really low.

7. Protect Pipes from Freezing

Freezing water expands and is the leading cause of ,winter pipe bursts in Bethlehem, PA. You should disconnect the garden hose from the outside spigot, apply heating tapes and be sure to set the temperature never to go below 55 degrees.

8. Inspect Insulation

Proper insulation will reduce heat exchange, preventing heat loss and cold air from entering the house. You should check the insulation and fix all damages before winter, or your system will be forced to work extra hard to maintain comfortable temperatures. When setting the thermostat, don't make changes more than 2 degrees at a time. Also, just because you set the temp low doesn’t mean you save money on your electric bill - you can let you partner know it’s okay to set the temperature above 64 degrees

9. Reverse Ceiling Fans

Reversing the ceiling fan to run in a clockwise direction helps to push warm air downwards. Warm air tends to rise above cold air, making this technique effective in distributing warm air across the room and giving your HVAC unit a helping hand.

10. Test the Sump Pump

The sump pump collects water from around your foundation and basement and pumps it to a designated drainage location. Regardless of the time of year, you should test the sump pump by pouring some water in the pump area to hear that the pump is working.

11. Drain Sediment from Your Water Heater

Water heater sediments can result in system inefficiency and more energy consumption. In worse-case scenarios, the buildup can lead to hot spots and premature failure. You should drain some of the water in your heaters to remove sediments that coat the lower heating element.

12. Install Storm Windows and Doors

Using storm windows and doors is one way to insulate your home and prevent heat loss during colder months. They are easy to install and provide an extra pane that traps air and prevents heat exchange through your windows and doors.

13. Remove Dead Branches and Trees

Dead branches and trees can fall on your roof and cause major damages that require costly repair. To avoid this, you should trim trees close to your home and remove all dead limbs. If you plan to remove big branches or the entire tree, make sure you hire professional tree removers.

14. Protect Steps and Entryways

The steps leading to your home should be free from tripping hazards. If possible, repair the concrete and reinforce the handrail to make sure they are properly anchored to prevent slips and falls. You can also purchase mats to place on our doorways and entries. This makes it easier to clear snow.

15. Consider Getting A Generator

Eastern Pennsylvania sees some strong winds and storms that tend to cause power outages. With most people expected to continue working from home, this may be a good time to invest in a power backup system and a generator is an ideal solution for winter. You can also use rechargeable batteries.

16. Check Outdoor Lighting and Cameras

You should inspect the outdoor lighting fixtures and cameras to ensure they are in perfect working condition. More importantly, they should be secured and protected from the winter effects.

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There are several other things to do in readiness for winter, including cleaning the dryer hose and window weep holes, covering pool water pumps and outdoor ac units, and sealing cracks around your basement and garage.

Once your other half is completed with their honey-to-do list meet them with a cold one and say - “great job honey!”

Be sure to have someone like Deluxe Plumbing and Heating in your back pocket. In the event something were to go wrong or see/hear something your systems shouldn’t be doing - you can always count on a whole home service provider like us!

source https://www.deluxeplumbing.com/post/winter-to-do-list-for-your-partner-before-temperatures-start-dropping

Winter Storm Gail: Emergency Storm Preparations for your HVAC system

Update: 1:35 PM EST

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/baa61d_7f6fafc0d9b54a40bef266ad07f027a2/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Winter Storm Gail is fast approaching with an anticipated 2 feet of snow and 35 mph winds. Deluxe Plumbing and Heating want to make sure you are comfortable- and prepared to withstand the storm!

Be mindful that most of today's high efficiency appliances are vented through the sidewalls of your home. Most vents are approximately 12-18 inches off the ground, so with heavy snowfall these vents will likely become obstructed. By keeping these vents and/or air intakes free of snow accumulation and ice buildup will keep your systems and appliances running optimally by not having to work harder. When the opportunity is safest, take note of these areas and how to keep them free of excessive snow and ice.

The risk: If vents are blocked or pugged by heavy snow, the appliances won't work and/or Carbon Monoxide may build up inside the home, so be sure that the vents and gas meter are checked and cleared of any snow covering.

Also, please disconnect your hoses from the house.

Deluxe Plumbing and Heating are always here to offer assistance- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! We are accessible by phone: (610) 628-1724 or virtually via our website chat and scheduling options.

Stay warm and stay safe!

source https://www.deluxeplumbing.com/post/winter-storm-gail-emergency-storm-preparations-for-your-hvac-system