By Marty Silverman, General Pipe Cleaners How to repair a pipe without shutting down the whole building Q: We had a lot calls for broken water lines this past winter. It was a pain to my customers when the water had to be shut off each time we made a repair. Is there a better Read more
Just the Tip
By Marty Silverman, General Pipe Cleaners
How to repair a pipe without shutting down the whole building
Q: We had a lot calls for broken water lines this past winter. It was a pain to my customers when the water had to be shut off each time we made a repair. Is there a better way?
A: Yes, you can use a pipe freeze system. It may sound crazy to intentionally freeze a pipe. But, under controlled conditions, creating an ice plug is a fast and easy way to make a repair to the line without shutting off the water to you customers building or home.
It freezes all types of liquids in steel, copper, cast iron, aluminum, and plastic pipes ranging from 1/8″ to 2″. The freeze kit uses carbon dioxide (CO2) from a dip-tube tank available at most welding supply houses. The cold liquid CO2 is -110 degrees so it can freeze the water is just minutes. A 1/2″ copper pipe freezes in just 5 minutes, or just 3 minutes in cast iron. The ice plug is so strong it can withstand up to 7000 psi.
So there’s no need to drain water lines, sprinkler systems, or hot water systems before cutting pipe or tubing. You can keep your pressurized system operating while you make repairs.
For more information, or to ask a question, call the Drain Brains® at General at 800-245-6200, or visit www.askthedrainbrains.com or email info@drainbrain.com.
Industry-leading manufacturer’s new digital tool for iOS and Android equips contractors with a range of information and features to support professional service and installation of Bradford White products Bradford White Water Heaters, an industry-leading manufacturer of water heaters, boilers and storage tanks, announces the launch of its new For the Pro® mobile app. The new app, available for iOS Read more
Industry-leading manufacturer’s new digital tool for iOS and Android equips contractors with a range of information and features to support professional service and installation of Bradford White products
Bradford White Water Heaters, an industry-leading manufacturer of water heaters, boilers and storage tanks, announces the launch of its new For the Pro® mobile app. The new app, available for iOS and Android devices through the Apple and Google app stores, is loaded with a variety of information and features to support the professional service and installation of Bradford White products.
“Our industry is becoming more and more reliant on digital and web-based tools every day,” said Neal Heyman, director of marketing for Bradford White Corporation. “Mobile apps are an important addition to a contractor’s ‘toolbox’ in terms of helping them stay up to date with product changes, installation requirements, and basic repair and troubleshooting information for the products they service and install.”
Users of the For the Pro® app can:
- Scan the barcode of any Bradford White product to quickly check warranty status and access all related technical documents, including I/O manuals and troubleshooting guides.
- Search Bradford White model numbers to instantly retrieve product information including spec sheets, parts lists and product descriptions.
- Get fast, direct access to Bradford White’s RightSpec® suite of sizing and cross reference tools, the For the Pro® Training Academy e-learning program, and Bradford White’s YouTube Channel for time-saving step-by-step videos.
- Quickly call Bradford White’s 24/7 technical support line through the app for fast, knowledgeable help
- Access Bradford White’s new digital Pocket Catalogs for the most recent product specifications.
“We’d like to thank the many loyal Bradford White contractors who helped us through the app’s pilot phase by providing helpful feedback to refine functionality,” Heyman said. “We anticipate regular new releases of the app offering users more information and enhanced functionality and features which are already in queue for subsequent releases, including a feature that allows contractors to register newly installed products on behalf of their customers.”
For more information about Bradford White’s For the Pro® app, visit https://bradfordwhite.com/contractorapp.
For more information about Bradford White Water Heaters, visit https://www.bradfordwhite.com.
What the Customer Needed This homeowner from Riverwoods, Illinois spends a lot of time away from home. In order to have confidence that his home was protected while he was not there, he decided to get a plumbing leak detection system installed for extra peace of mind. Solution The homeowner hired Ravinia Plumbing in Lincolnshire Read more
What the Customer Needed
This homeowner from Riverwoods, Illinois spends a lot of time away from home. In order to have confidence that his home was protected while he was not there, he decided to get a plumbing leak detection system installed for extra peace of mind.
Solution
The homeowner hired Ravinia Plumbing in Lincolnshire, Illinois, to install The Leak Defense System®. Once it was in place, the system’s control panel showed that significant water was running constantly within the house.
The homeowner and the system installer walked the entire house inside and out looking for a leak, checking each toilet and all other potential leak sources. Three toilet flappers, which seal the opening between the water storage tank and the toilet bowl, were found to be leaking and needed to be replaced.
In addition, they found that a whole house humidifier had a bad solenoid valve (which controls the water flow from the reservoir to the evaporator system). Normally, the valve is closed until humidity drops below a set level. However, due to the faulty valve, water was constantly running through it. “We were NOT aware where or why [the leaks were occurring],” the homeowner said.
Installing Leak Defense
Following a third incident when a hot water tank line sprung a leak in a pantry, the building maintenance engineer suggested several leak detection solutions to the Building Governance Committee. Among the suggestions was The Leak Defense System®, which the committee, chaired by Pusateri, ended up choosing.
The system contains several components. The first is a Leak Defense System® Valve, which is installed on the incoming waterline to each condo unit. Once installed, the automatic water shut-off control valve monitors water flow 24/7/365.
The second is a wireless touchscreen Control Panel in each unit, which allows residents to set the system to fit their family’s lifestyle needs. For example, if high-volume overnight water usage would be unusual, the Control Panel can send an audible alert if significant water is flowing in the middle of the night, and it can shut off the water intake. The Control Panel can also be connected to a third-party monitoring company to make sure an alert gets attention, even if the condo owners are away.
Results
The toilet flappers were replaced, and a new humidifier solenoid valve was installed. Since the Leak Defense System® installation, the control panel has picked up no further leaks. Had these issues not been fixed, “each could have led to serious issues in the house,” the homeowner said and has reduced needless water waste at the home. The system has provided this homeowner the extra peace of mind his home is safe from plumbing leaks while he is away.
To learn more, visit LeakDefense.com.
In many coastal regions, the corrosive effects of saltwater can deteriorate the plumbing systems over time. To combat the massive damage, contractors, plumbers, and other relevant construction professionals often build plumbing systems in these areas with specialized materials and components that can withstand harsh conditions. One of the most significant components that play a critical Read more
In many coastal regions, the corrosive effects of saltwater can deteriorate the plumbing systems over time. To combat the massive damage, contractors, plumbers, and other relevant construction professionals often build plumbing systems in these areas with specialized materials and components that can withstand harsh conditions.
One of the most significant components that play a critical role in the durability and functionality of a coastal plumbing system is the exterior access door. In this blog post, you’ll discover the importance of exterior doors in coastal areas and how to properly maintain and repair it to keep or boost the value of your client’s water pipe facilities.
What is an exterior access door?
Exterior access doors can grant access to the interior of a building from outside. In the context of plumbing systems, exterior access doors are typically installed outside the establishment to provide easy access to the plumbing system.
You can often locate these doors near the main water shut-off valve, pipes, or other plumbing system components. Exterior access doors like Babcock-Davis coastal zone exterior access door may come in various sizes and materials, depending on the particular prerequisites of the plumbing system and the property itself.
Moreover, experts designed them to be durable and weather-resistant to stand firm against the intense weather conditions in coastal areas, where the doors are vulnerable to saltwater, wind, and other environmental factors.
Four crucial benefits of exterior access doors to coastal plumbing systems are:
- Inspection and maintenance: Exterior access doors authorize plumbers and maintenance personnel to inspect and perform plumbing system maintenance without entering the client’s structure. Regular upkeeping is especially vital in coastal areas where the saltwater can cause damage to the plumbing system in the long run, requiring periodic maintenance and inspection.
- Emergency access: In a plumbing emergency, like a pipe bursting or any significant leakage, exterior access doors give emergency responders quick access to your client’s central water system, allowing them to shut off the water supply and control further damage.
- Corrosion prevention: Exterior access doors can also help deter corrosion by furnishing a barrier between the plumbing system and the corrosive saltwater environment.
- Compliance with building codes: Installing exterior access doors for your plumbing system can help you comply with building codes. Part of these is the commercial establishments built around the coastal areas to ensure safety and maintenance standards compliance.
How to properly maintain or repair the exterior access doors in coastal plumbing areas?
Appropriate maintenance and repair of exterior access doors in coastal plumbing systems are crucial to guarantee the functionality and longevity of the coastal building’s plumbing system. Here are some tips to correctly maintain and repair the exterior access doors for your plumbing project:
- Tip #1 Regular Inspection: Advice your clients to make it a habit to inspect the exterior access doors, so they can secure that essential facilities are always in good performance condition. When checking, look for signs of wear and tear, such as rust, corrosion, or damage to the door or surrounding area. Ensure the door closes and seals adequately to prevent water from penetrating the plumbing system.
- Tip #2 Cleaning: Routine cleaning of exterior access doors is critical in coastal areas. The door isn’t safe from accumulating salt water and other debris, which can eventually lead to corrosion or further deterioration. Clean the door regularly with mild detergent and water to remove residue or buildup.
- Tip #3 Lubrication: Lubricate the hinges and locks of the exterior access door frequently to guarantee smooth operation. You must use a silicone-based lubricant to discourage corrosion and rust from building up.
- Tip #4 Repair or Replace Damaged Doors: If any wear, tear, leakage, or other damages are found during the inspection, repair or replace the damaged door immediately. Delaying repairs can lead to more severe impairments and expensive restorations.
- Tip #5 Upgrade to Corrosion-Resistant Doors: Consider increasing the quality of your project’s door to corrosion-resistant exterior access doors. These doors are made to defy extreme conditions in coastal areas and are less likely to corrode or rust in long-term use.
Take better of your exterior access doors and coastal plumbing system.
Regularly inspecting, cleaning, and lubricating exterior access doors, repairing or replacing damaged doors, and upgrading to corrosion-resistant doors can significantly contribute to always keeping the components performance of coastal plumbing systems intact. Remember to follow the tips we shared, so you can ensure that the exterior access doors in the plumbing system of your coastal projects are well-maintained and operating as intended.
Providing accurate, detailed bids is important to homeowners. According to proprietary research from Lowe’s, 65% of homeowners cited lack of clarity on project costs as a top challenge in working with Pros. Consider taking advantage of online tools, like Lowe’s Online Order Quoting, to efficiently build and receive quotes for orders purchased via the Lowe’s Read more
Providing accurate, detailed bids is important to homeowners. According to proprietary research from Lowe’s, 65% of homeowners cited lack of clarity on project costs as a top challenge in working with Pros. Consider taking advantage of online tools, like Lowe’s Online Order Quoting, to efficiently build and receive quotes for orders purchased via the Lowe’s app/website. Pricing for Lowe’s online quotes is guaranteed for seven days, so you can share with clients in advance and help eliminate uncertainty. Learn more here.