10 Types of Piping Found in a Home’s Plumbing System

As a homeowner, you need to know what’s going on inside your walls and under your floorboards. Knowing is half the battle, as once you know, you can act, making the important repairs and installations that you need to make in order to bring your home up to your standards. Here’s what you need to know about the different types of plumbing pipes you’re likely to find in your home

1. PB (Plastic Polybutylene)

Polybutylene, or PB piping, was commonly used from the late 1970’s into the mid 1990’s. These pipes were low cost and easy to install, making them very popular, especially throughout the 1980’s. 

Underground main lines are usually blue, but the pipes can also be black or gray. It’s usually about a half inch or an inch in diameter. The problem with PB is that, after so many years of use, the chlorine in tap water may cause the piping to flake and scale. PB is best replaced before it falls apart, but it does not pose an immediate danger like some other outdated plumbing materials might

2. Plastic Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC)

CPVC is difficult to tell apart from PVC, and in many respects, it is functionally the same material. They are not identical, however. PVC piping will usually start to soften and weaken at the joints above 140 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas CPVC can handle temperatures exceeding 200 degrees with ease. CPVC tends to be more common in commercial building projects. CPVC is a great choice for your home, but note that you generally will not want to connect PVC to CPVC, rather, you will want to choose one or the other.

3. Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS)

Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene, or ABS pipes, can be identified by a dark, almost metallic appearance. They are very similar to PVC in most respects, but they tend to weather the sun poorly, so they are not recommended for outdoor application. They are known to be easier to install than PVC, and are often used as an alternative where metal piping might be considered.

4. High density polyethylene (HDPE)

Also known as alkathene or polythene, HDPE or High Density Polyethylene pipes are popular for their high strength-to-density ratio. This black, plastic piping can be used for potable water, but is more often used to distribute gas, oil, wastewater, and chemicals in industrial settings than it is used in residential housing.

5. Cross linked polyethylene (PEX)

Often used as an alternative to copper, PEX, or cross-linked Polyethylene typing, costs about a third of copper, won’t corrode, and is fast and easy to install. PEX can be identified by its bright blue or red color, and is frequently used to insulate electric wiring.

6. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Polyvinyl Chloride, or PVC, is perhaps the most popular form of piping used for plumbing in residential buildings. It is easily recognized by its white plastic appearance. If your home was built in the last ten, twenty years, then chances are that you’re looking at PVC pipes. A common replacement for metal piping, PVC is incredibly strong for its low cost, durable, and easy to install, with no real downsides to speak of

7. Copper

Copper pipes are still used in some homes. They’re fairly easy to identify: If you’ve seen copper before, imagine pipes made out of it. They do not pose any serious health risks, they tend to be durable and safe, but their inflexibility makes them difficult to install, and they are quite expensive in comparison to plastic, so they tend to be less common in new homes

8. Cast Iron

Cast iron pipes have been popular in the past as an option for distributing wastewater, pressurized gasses, oil and so on. They look just like a cast iron skillet you would use for cooking: Black, heavy, and metallic. If you have any cast iron pipes in your home, you would be advised to replace them as soon as possible. They are prone to corrosion, and, in many instances, impossible to repair and replace.

9. Stainless Steel

Stainless steel tends to have a clean, shiny metallic appearance. It may be your best bet if you insist on metallic pipes, being much more durable, but stainless steel is prone to corrosion, it’s expensive, and it’s difficult to install.

10. Galvanized steel

If you have galvanized steel pipes, have them replaced as soon as possible. Galvanized pipes are steel covered in a layer of zinc. The zinc erodes over the years, causing buildup which can completely clog your pipes. Not to mention, you’re drinking and showering in zinc, and you may wind up drinking lead, as well. Galvanized steel pipes look like normal steel, except with a chalky layer of zinc on the surface. You can identify an eroded galvanized pipe by the rusty color of the water coming out of your tap

Outdated pipes aren’t always dangerous, but they can be. PB, for instance, may fail at any given moment, but it probably won’t put you in the hospital. If you have galvanized steel pipes, replace them as soon as possible. Beyond safety concerns, the “best pipe” may simply be a matter of personal preference.

Call Lake Cook Plumbing today & start learning more about your plumbing system!

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By zachadmachinescom

It’s tempting to dump household wastes down the drain. Sure, it would be so easy to just pour that used motor oil down the sink. But, in the end, the convenience will cost you. Discarding some types of waste in your toilets, garbage disposal and sinks can damage your plumbing system. And fixing that damage gets expensive very quickly. Don’t believe us? Flush things that aren’t meant to be flushed and you could have a backup or overflow on your hands. Washing items or liquids down a sink can have similar consequences in the form of slow, clogged drains.

Even your garbage disposal is not immune. Just because the disposal is capable of chewing up food waste doesn’t mean it can handle anything. There are limits to your garbage disposal’s capabilities, and trying to dispose of items improperly can damage your disposal but cause costly backups and clogs.

Here’s a look at 10 common household products that should never be flushed or washed down a drain.

1. Disposable Diapers and Sanitary Napkins.

Never flush a disposable diaper or sanitary napkin down the toilet. These items are simply too big for your plumbing system’s pipes to move. They frequently become stuck and can’t be dislodged with a plunger. In many cases, you’ll need a professional to fully disassemble your pipes and remove the item. This sometimes entails digging up buried pipes in your yard which not only destroys your lawn, but also costs a pretty penny.

2. Hair and Dental Floss

Some hair will go down the drain. It’s inevitable. And our plumbing systems can handle small amounts of hair here and there. But don’t clean out your hairbrush and dispose of the wad of hair in the drain. And never put dental floss in the toilet or sink. These stringy items will eventually get tangled together and create a clog that no amount of chemical drain opener will clear.

3. Cooking Fats, Oils and Grease (FOGs)

After cooking a delicious pound of bacon, you’ve got a lot of grease left over. Just dump it down the sink, right?  Wrong. Dumping grease and/or cooking oil is a surefire way to damage your drains. When you pour any sort of grease down the drain, it congeals as it cools. That means you’ll have a greasy lining on your pipes which slows the rate of water and potentially causes clogged drains. Plus, when FOGs are introduced to public sewer systems, they mix with solid particulates. This damages public infrastructure and makes it more expensive to treat wastewater.

4. Paper Towels, Cotton Balls and Swabs

Unlike toilet paper, paper towels, cotton balls, and cotton swabs are not designed to disintegrate in water. Plus, they’re absorbent which means they actually get heavier and harder to move once they’re wet. Flushing them down the toilet will block up plumbing lines and/or lead to problems with septic systems. Not only is it an expensive problem to fix, but it’s also pretty disgusting.

5. Automotive Fluids like Motor Oil, Transmission Fluid and Antifreeze

Automotive fluids, including windshield cleaner, can easily enter streams, lakes, and rivers when dumped down a drain. Once these chemicals enter these waterways,  they’re incredibly harmful to the wildlife in those ecosystems. Instead of pouring these chemicals out, transfer these fluids to an old bottle or jar and dispose of them properly.

6. Medication

Whether an over-the-counter or a prescription, never flush medications down the toilet or pour them down a sink drain. Public water filtration systems cannot remove medications from the water. This means that those chemicals can be transferred to your community’s tap water.

7. Coffee Grounds

Don’t ever put coffee grounds down the sink or garbage disposal unless you want clogged plumbing. Any plumber will tell you coffee grounds are one of the most common culprits for clogged pipes.

8. Egg Shells, Bones, or Foods with Hard Edges

Even though your garbage disposal is capable of chewing up egg shells and small bones from poultry or fish, you still should refrain from testing it for yourself. They are known to damage the disposal and clog up your drains. Always throw them in the trash.

9. Stickers and Band-Aids

Anything with adhesive can cause problems or your plumbing system. Even those little stickers that come on produce can collect in your plumbing system’s pipes and create clogs and blockages.  Therefore, never flush a Band-Aid and keep stickers from going down the drain as well.

10. Tampons and Flushable Wipes

The package says they’re flushable, but tampons and personal wipes shouldn’t be flushed under any circumstance. They can clog your plumbing lines and they cause problems for public sewer systems. When mixed with FOGs, these items can create giant masses that block public sewer lines causing backups.

While these things may seem like mild inconveniences for the homeowner, the expenses can certainly add up. Whether you pay a plumber to fix the problem or have the costs passed on to you through your utility bill, you will end up paying for putting the wrong types of items down the drains. The easiest fix is to not let these problems take root in the first place. Call the professionals today before the problem gets out of hand. Your bank account will appreciate it. 

Call Lake Cook Plumbing to keep your drains in tip-top shape!

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By zachadmachinescom

As a homeowner, chances are good that you have already experienced the displeasure of a clogged or overflowing toilet. In addition to the mess, a toilet that clogs or overflows frequently can cause lasting damage to floor coverings, sub-floors, plumbing infrastructure, and even the ceiling below, when the toilet is located in an upper-level bathroom. In addition, any moisture that remains after the clean up can result in unhealthy mildew and mold growth long after the job has been completed. 

The Cost of a Poorly Maintained Toilet

According to census data published by the United States Census Bureau, the numbers of new home constructions with three or more bathrooms each now outnumber new homes built with one to one and one-half bathrooms by a ratio of nearly ten to one, based on the samples taken. With the number of home toilets rapidly growing, the cost of damage from clogged or overflowing toilets also rises exponentially. 

Clogged or overflowing toilets can result in costs to homeowners. This includes:

• replacement / repair costs to flooring, subflooring, walls and trim materials
• replacement / repair costs to plumbing pipes and fixtures
• repairs to drain and sewer lines
• possible mold remediation from frequent or latent water infiltration
• higher water bills when toilets are not operating correctly and must be flushed multiple times to move waste through the system

In addition to monetary costs, families who frequently deal with clogged or slow toilets are being forced to sacrifice much of the enjoyment they should get from living in the home. The good news, however, is that homeowners can avoid this type of damage to their homes with these simple tips designed to help keep home toilets functioning properly. 

1. Teach Family Members What Objects & Materials Should Never Be Flushed

Many clogged toilets are caused each year due to improper use. In most of these cases, family members, both children and adults, attempt to flush materials down the toilet that should not be introduced into any type of sewage disposal system. These materials include common household items, such as: 

• Paper products – including cleaning wipes, feminine hygiene products, cotton balls, cotton swabs, cigarette butts, paper towels, facial tissues, diaper liners and excessive amounts of toilet tissue
• Miscellaneous household waste products – including kitty litter, human or pet hair, grease, oils, dental floss, ashes, potting soil and dust and dirt from vacuums or dust pans
• Other objects or materials – including children’s toys, small articles of clothing like socks, medications, pet food, potting soil, sand, gravel or other miscellaneous materials or objects

2. Provide Alternate Disposal to Encourage Proper Toilet Usage

A great way to prevent inappropriate objects and materials from being placed into the toilet is to provide an alternate disposal option for family members and guests who use your bathroom. To do this, place a small trash can near each toilet in the home. Doing this is an economical, effective way of preventing future clogged toilet issues because something was flushed that should not have been flushed. 

3. Keep Surfaces Clear of Small Items That Could Easily Fall Into the Toilet

Many clogged toilets also result from accidents where an object is knocked into the toilet accidentally. This often happens when nearby counters or over-the-toilet shelving is filled with small objects, such as jars, bottles, sponges and cosmetics. When these objects land in the toilet and are flushed accidentally, a clog situation is the likely result. Keeping these areas clear of small items will lessen the chances of this happening.

4. Flush Twice When Necessary

If the toilet has a large amount of waste or toilet paper in it, flushing twice may be necessary to completely empty the bowl. But a toilet that always needs to be flushed multiple times probably already suffers from some type of clog or plumbing problem.

If a toilet in your home is having to be flushed multiple times, the extra water usage is placing an additional burden on both your plumbing system and the family water bill. When this problem occurs homeowners may want to prevent excessive water bills and further damage to their plumbing by having the problem diagnosed and repaired by a professional. 

5. Learn to Plunge & Do So As Needed

Another cause of clogged toilets and the damage that results is ignoring or postponing obvious signs that the toilet is malfunctioning. Even when the toilet does empty by flushing it multiple times, flushing over and over is not healthy for the plumbing system and can cause more serious plumbing problems over time.

Homeowners who experience slow flushing action may be able to relieve the problem by using a plunger to help free the clog and push it through the pipes. To do this effectively, follow these steps: 

• Insert the plunger into the toilet bowl, tipping it to allow any trapped air in the bell of the plunger to escape
• Position the plunger over the drainage hole and plunge vigorously to move the water both directions in the drain to loosen and free the clog
• Be patient and repeat the process until the clog is freed and the toilet bowl empties
• If plunging does not give results and the clog remains firmly in place, calling a professional to clear the clog may be necessary

6. Know When You Need Professional Help

Plumbing problems that go unsolved are one of the most common reasons for water damage and mold issues in homes today. If you are homeowner with toilets that flush slowly, threaten to overflow or require the frequent use of a plunger, calling a professional to fix the problem quickly will help you avoid the costly, inconvenient home repair bills later. 

Call Lake Cook Plumbing today & start saving big on your water bills!

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By zachadmachinescom

Plumbing is one of the major systems in a home.  As a new homeowner you’ve probably asked yourself several questions already about the plumbing.  Keep in mind regular maintenance of the plumbing system can extend the life of the equipment.  It will also improve the cost of energy used in the household.  Here are a few things you need to know so that you can enjoy trouble free plumbing.  

1. Why is flushing my toilet so noisy?

The noise is caused by restricted water flow when the tank refills.  You’ll need to check the main shutoff valve to the tank. Make sure it’s completely opened. The ballcock assembly regulates the water filling into the tank.  If parts are damaged or worn it prevents the ballcock from operating properly.  You may need to replace the parts or the entire assembly.

2. How do you avoid frozen pipes?

Severe cold weather causes water to freeze and expand, bursting the pipes. Pipes inside the house close to the exterior walls where there is no heat needs to be insulated to avoid freezing.  Before the cold weather hits, drain the pool, sprinklers and water spigots. Keep the outside values open so the remaining water can drain out. Then close the interior shut off valve leading to the faucets and install a faucet insulator.

3. What’s the difference between hard water and soft water?

Falling rain starts out as soft water. When it hits the ground it picks up minerals – chalk, lime, calcium and magnesium and becomes hard water. Over time, hard water builds up scale deposits clogging the pipes and preventing the flow of water. Additives are used to convert hard water to soft water. The most noticeable differences are the suds. Soft water lathers better without leaving hard water spots.  Soft water also uses less soap or detergents.

4. What can I put in the garbage disposal?

Always use cold water when operating the disposal. Cold water keeps the oils in foods from solidifying.  It’s easier for the disposal to chop up the food and move it through the pipes. Cut large pieces into smaller portions before putting them into the disposal. It prevents the blades from jamming. Avoid coffee grinds. They accumulate in the pipes blocking the water flow. 

5. Why do I keep having drainage backups and problems?

There may be solid material in the pipe causing the clog. Hair, grease, or paper products in the drain systems are usually the cause.Tree roots are notorious for growing around the pipes and crushing them. Structural damage to the pipes caused from age or exterior damages block the flow of water. Heavy rains or melting snow can also overload drain capacities causing the back-ups. 

6. Why do I hear noises such as banging and rattling in my pipes?

A broken strap that holds the pipe in place causes the rattling noise as water moves through the pipe. You’ll need to locate the noise to re-strap and insulate the pipe. If the noise is coming from behind the wall – the wall needs to be opened. Check the water pressure. Pipes have PSI ratings. Too much pressure can cause noises or damage the piping.

7. Why do we run out of hot water so quickly?

Could it be the number of users in the household using water at the same time?  The water tank may be too small to accommodate the household.  The dip tube in a gas water heater could be broken.  Electrical water tanks have a heating element that can burn out.

8. When showering, why does the water pressure drop, and what causes the temperature change when someone else turns on a faucet or flushes a toilet?

Each of these actions triggers the flow of water. The water distribution at the same time causes the water pressure to drop.  One solution depends on the type of shower control valve. The valves can reduce or eliminate the temperature fluctuations. Thermostatic mixing valves automatically balance the hot and cold water.  It prevents drastic fluctuations in shower temperature when someone turns on a faucet or flushes the toilet.

9. How do I get rid of the bad taste in my water?

Home filtration systems can reduce the bad taste in water from the tap.  These systems remove the chlorine and odor.  Carbon filtrations help to remove the hydrogen sulfide that smells like rotten eggs.  Reverse Osmosis water filtration systems also remove the chemicals from the tap water.  Most systems are low maintenance.

10. Why does my toilet keep running?

After each flush, a lever opens the flapper in the tank.  The flapper falls back into place when the water level drops. The flapper acts like a plug allowing the tank water to refill on each flush.  If the chain is too long the flapper won’t open for a full flush. A short or tangled chain prevents the flapper from closing to refill the tank.

Call Lake Cook Plumbing today & start saving big on your water bills!

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By zachadmachinescom

Water bills are a fact of life, but you do have control over how much you put out each month. If you are paying a water bill, you know that costs can get surprisingly high. Water isn’t cheap, and in some locations, it’s quite expensive. If you are a growing family that takes showers, does multiple loads of laundry weekly and waters the lawn, you likely have a water bill that’s higher than you would like. You might think there’s not much you can do about it, but there are strategies that can help you significantly reduce your water bill. Here are eight ways to do it:

There are two keys to using less water: Equipment and habits. While changing habits takes work, it doesn’t involve buying or replacing anything, it just requires vigilance on your part. As far as equipment goes, most are a one-time purchase that will pay for themselves quickly. 

1. Saving Money In The Bathroom

Your current toilet, shower and faucets may be using up to 41 gallons per person, per day. This is a significant use of resources. You can lessen this by replacing your toilet with a low-flow toilet and shower head, and more efficient faucets. These improvements will pay for themselves over time, and will consume far less water.

Bonus tip: Take shorter showers,  you can save several gallons of water by trimming 5 minutes off your shower time. 

2. In The Laundry Room

Upgrading your washing machine to an energy-efficient model can save a significant amount of water. A certified energy-star model may use up to 50% less water than your current model. This is a huge difference, and these newer models perform better, as well.

Bonus Tip: Washing clothes when they aren’t dirty is a common occurrence. Many articles of clothing can be worn more than once, and towels can be reused, as well.

3. Saving Money While Washing Dishes

Ideally, your home has a dishwasher. Washing dishes by hand uses considerably more water than using the dishwasher. An Energy Star dishwasher will save about 30% more water than a conventional dishwasher, and ends up being about 80% more efficient than washing dishes by hand. If you have to wash dishes by hand, don’t just let the water run. This is probably one of the biggest water wasters. Fill the sink with water, and fill a clean tub for rinsing.

4. Saving Money In The Yard

Your outdoor watering habits could be costing you the most. Evaluating the water used for maintaining your lawn and landscaping could result in big savings. It’s estimated that up to 55% of your water is used outdoors. 

You can take steps to reduce this. One option is to work with a landscape designer to create a more water-friendly outdoor space. This may include installing a more efficient drip system that waters the base of the plants instead of simply dousing the foliage. Much of the water used in sprinkler systems simply evaporates or blows away. Tearing out lawns and replacing them with indigenous plants and low-maintenance landscaping can drastically cut your water consumption.

5. Greywater Reuse Options

Water used in your household can be recycled. Examples of greywater include shower, faucet and even laundry water that can be used for toilet flushing. This happens via a sanitary pipe that keeps the water separated from city potable water pipes and runs it to your toilets. This method can save up to 7,000 gallons of city-supplied potable water per year. 

6. Consider Stormwater Reuse

An alternative to greywater reuse is stormwater reuse. This is an easier option that involves collecting stormwater via rooftop drums that can collect and distribute water for landscaping irrigation. There are more sophisticated systems as well, and this may be a good option depending on the rainfall in your area.

7. Radiant Heating Systems

Newer radiant heating systems are being developed to use water more efficiently. These close-looped systems use less water and thus save you money. As it is, radiant floor heating tends to be more energy efficient than baseboard heaters etc. You lose less heat through ducts and out the window. Newer systems have even more energy-saving features. Closed systems recirculate water to heat your home more efficiently, and use less water. 

8. Improved Water Meters

New water meters have been developed that can detect leaks and give you detailed information on your water usage that can help you change habits and use less water. Smart meter technology can save you money by detecting leaks that can be draining water and increasing your bill. Smart meters are also more sensitive than traditional water meters. They allow you to see where the majority of your water is going, and empower you to use water more efficiently.

There are multiple ways to save water on a daily basis. While replacing fixtures and appliances may initially cost you money, these are short-term expenses that will only save you money in the long run. Not only that, but you will be conserving water, one of our most precious resources. Check into local conservation programs that may assist with things like appliance replacement and landscaping services designed to save water. You may be able to get assistance for energy-saving expenses.

Call Lake Cook Plumbing today & start saving big on your water bills!

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By zachadmachinescom

Of all the things that can go wrong with your plumbing in Lake Zurich, one of the most frustrating is a toilet that does not flush properly. Problems with flushing range from not flushing at all to continuous “running” after the flush. Here at Lake Cook Plumbing, we want to break down the common culprits when it comes to an improperly flushing toilet. 

Not Flushing At All

If nothing happens when you press down the flusher, there are two common problems that may be happening inside your toilet. The first is that the tank may not have enough water in it. Without enough water, the tank will not flush. The valve for this is usually just behind your toilet, so ensure that it is open and the float inside the tank is unobstructed. The second most common problem with no flush at all is the chain connecting the flapper is loose or disconnected. If the chain is too loose, it will not activate the flush. Open the tank and ensure there is tension between the chain and your flusher. 

Bowl Does Not Empty

When you press the flusher, it should lift the flapper in your tank allowing water to rush quickly into the bowl for a smooth flush. When your toilet bowl does not empty all the way, this can be a sign of a couple different issues. One may be that the pipes are clogged. This can be solved by plunging it yourself or snaking the pipes by a professional. If you have snaked and plunged your toilet and are still experiencing slow flushes, it can be the chain. If the chain is too loose, it may be lifting the flapper slowly. This slow release does not give the water the momentum it needs to flush the bowl quickly. 

Continuous Flushing

Perhaps the most annoying problem of all is when the toilet continuously “runs” after you’ve flushed it. That running water sound is not only annoying, but it’s also wasting water. When the flapper lifts to let the water into the bowl, it should seal tightly over the drain once the flush is complete. If the flapper is bent or warped, it will not seal properly which allows a slow stream of water to trickle into the bowl. That is the culprit for the running water noises. The flapper should be replaced if you hear that noise for extended periods of time after each flush.

If you find that your toilet is not flushing properly and these common culprits are not the solution, then you should call Lake Cook. Our trained plumbers are prepared for any issues and are ready to help you and your family. 

Call Lake Cook Plumbing today & take care of any drain problems before winter arrives!

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By zachadmachinescom