Carney All Seasons Blog: Archive for the ‘Plumbing’ Category

Should I Be Concerned About Hard Water?

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

Do you have an off-white buildup of gunk around your faucets or sink drains? Does your water taste like it has high mineral content? If so, you may have hard water in your home. Hard water affects the majority of homes in America, and if you have it in your home, your plumbing may be at risk of damage. While hard water is not typically hazardous to your health, it is can affect the extensive network of piping that runs through your home. In this post, we’d like to examine in more detail what hard water is and whether you should be concerned about it. If you’re in need of a water treatment system in Chalfont, PA, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today!

First, let’s explain what hard water actually is. Hard water is so called because of its high mineral content. As the water moves through the ground before it is picked up by your water supply source, it can pick up various types of minerals, as well as contaminants. As a good solvent, water is quick to pick up impurities from various other materials. Hard water is mainly caused by high levels of calcium and magnesium in addition to other trace minerals. The higher level of minerals dissolved in the water, the “harder” it becomes.

While hard water in and of itself is not often considered to be a health hazard, it can negatively impact your plumbing. As hard water moves through your piping, it leaves behind mineral deposits called “scale” and these deposits often have a white or green color. As they build up inside your pipes, they actually begin to restrict the flow of water. The rate at which your piping is affected is determined by the level of mineral content. But the consequences of hard water can be dire. It can result in whole house repiping if it’s not caught early.

Fortunately, there are numerous water treatment systems available for installation that can eliminate the hardness of your water, from water softeners, reverse osmosis, and various types of filtration. For a more information about water treatment systems in Chalfont, PA, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today!

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What is Hydro Jetting and How Does it Work?

Monday, May 6th, 2013

Keeping your wastewater disposal system working well throughout the year is critical. While we often take our plumbing for granted, it’s actually quite a complicated system that relies on certain hydrodynamic principles so that you can take hot showers, flush the toilet as much as you want, and clean your laundry. We want to emphasize the importance of drain cleaning in this post. For every bit of grease, hair, food scrap, and non-organic matter that made it into your drainpipes, you risk substantial accumulations within the interior of your pipes that can begin to create plumbing problems. Hydro-jetting is an simple solution to such problems. For all of your New Hope, PA drain cleaning needs, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today!

So, what is hydro-jetting? As its name suggests, it uses a pressurized stream of water to clean your drainpipes. The process is relatively straightforward, but the equipment is specially designed for this task. The compressor, hose, and nozzle work cooperatively to produce an effective stream of pressurized water that can quickly break up sludge, grease, and other debris that can cause partial blockages and even total clogs. While equipment varies, the compressor is calibrated to provide up to 4000 psi (pounds per square inch) at a flow rate of up to 18 gpm (gallons per minute). Hydro-jetting is therefore both thorough and incredibly fast, compared to other methods of drain cleaning.

The nozzle at the end of the hose is designed to clean at 360° so that the entire interior surface of the drainpipe is thoroughly cleaned. The hose is typically insert at the “cleanout,” which is an access point designed for professional service needs. The hose works against gravitational pressure so that any dislodged debris can then run down the cleaned section of piping. Hydro-jetting is so powerful, it can often remove mineral deposits, but it does so safely, without the use of chemicals that can damage your plumbing as well as the environment.

For comprehensive New Hope, PA drain cleaning services, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today! 

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When to Schedule Sewer Repair

Monday, April 29th, 2013

We often take the features of our modern plumbing for granted until they present a problem to our daily life. While our sewer systems are meant to last, having been constructed out of durable materials, over time they endure a lot of wear and tear, and may eventually need professional repair. Let’s look at some reasons to schedule sewer repair. Call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today if you think your sewer line may be in need of professional attention.

So, when should you schedule sewer repair for your Doylestown, PA home?

  • Leak: If you notice wet spots in your yard, or a foul odor wafting through your property, then your sewer line may be leaking into the ground. There are numerous causes for sewer leaks. If your wastewater system is old, then it may have collapsed to old age, or it may have become damaged because of shifting soil density and erosion, possibly from a nearby construction project. Alternatively, a tree root may have exerted enough force on the pipe’s exterior to penetrate it.
  • Clog: Clogs can occur suddenly, perhaps due to a non-organic object getting stuck in your drainage system, or by the slow accumulation of years of transporting wastewater. If you think you have a deep clog within your sewer, and the drains throughout your home are not flushing water, then your may need to have you sewer line inspected. Video camera inspection is the best way to see what’s going on underground.
  • Slow drain: Don’t settle for slow drainage out of your home. It might be caused by hard water, which tends to leaves mineral deposits within your pipes. Over time, these can accumulate and create a hardened lining that restricts the flow of wastewater. Routine drain cleaning is a great way to avoid slow drains and clogs.

If you have any doubts about your sewer line, then don’t hesitate to call a professional. When you need sewer repair in Doylestown, PA, call the experts at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling!

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Drain Cleaning Tools of the Trade

Monday, April 22nd, 2013

When you think of drain cleaning, you may have an image of pouring harsh chemicals down your shower drain to clear hair and soap. While you’ve got the “clearing” aspect right, professional drain cleaning avoids the use of harsh chemicals that can damage your plumbing. Instead, we use a variety of tools and equipment to make sure that your drainpipes and sewer line operate well. In this post, we’d like to review our tools of the trade so that you know exactly what goes on during the process. For more information about our Lansdale, PA drain cleaning services, call the experts at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today!

  • Drain rooter: A drain rooter is a kind of motorized snake with a rotating head. It moves within your drainpipes to remove tough and resilient accumulations of organic debris, including roots that have penetrated your sewer line. When a simple manual augur won’t do the trick, a rooter can handle even difficult blockages with ease.
  • Hydro-jetting: Hydro-jet drain cleaning is a very effective way to clean your drains thoroughly and without risk of damage. A hose with a special nozzle contains highly pressurized water that moves through your piping. The nozzle can move 360° so that it covers the entire interior in a single pass. The pressure of the hose is about 3000 psi, but may be as high as 4000 psi in certain applications. This easily breaks up sludge and grime, emulsifies grease, and even disintegrates mineral deposits.
  • Video camera inspection: While not technically a part of drain cleaning, we include it here nonetheless, because video camera inspection is the best way to diagnose problematic sections of your sewerage system. 

Professional drain cleaning is a great way to make sure that your home plumbing continues to operate effectively. To schedule a Lansdale, PA drain cleaning service, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today! 

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Common Reasons to Call a Plumber

Monday, April 15th, 2013

While most homeowners can appreciate the value of a good plumber, it is not always obvious to our clients when they should call us. Is the job too small for a pro? Am I just being finicky with this leak? These are common concerns, and while we appreciate the sentiment, even seemingly minor plumbing problems can often develop into major problems. Leaks, clogs, and other issues do not simply go away—they tend only to worsen with time, as they damage the surrounding materials and surfaces. In this post, we’ve compiled a list of common reasons to call a plumber. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. For more information, or to schedule a plumber in Lansdale, PA, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today!

  • Clog: Because of the relatively small diameter of plumbing pipes, it does not often take much to cause a clog. It’s imperative to ensure that you monitor what goes down your drainpipe. No grease, fats, oils, hair, non-organic waste, and no toys. While a plunger may assist the intrepid DIY homeowner, serious clogs require the skills and expertise of a pro.
  • Leak: Your plumbing is an engineered set of piping, joints, connections, valves, and appliances that distribute and remove water from your home. Keeping in mind all the various twists, turns, and directions that your plumbing undergoes, it’s no wonder that it will develop leaks at some point during its life. For the most part, leaks are simply part of general wear and tear, and can be professionally repaired in a straightforward manner. But when they’re left to linger, or when they occur frequently, they can indicate serious problems.
  • Poor water quality: If you’re concerned about the quality of your home water supply, whether it comes from a well or a municipal source, you should have your water tested by a professional plumber. A system analysis and consultation can help you figure out what water treatment option is best for you so that you can enjoy fresh, great-tasting water in your home.

These are just a few reasons to call a plumber in Lansdale, PA. When you need excellent service, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling! 

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How to Prevent Sewer Problems

Monday, April 8th, 2013

While we spend countless hours of time fiddling with the latest electronic gadgets, we often overlook the basic infrastructure of our Doylestown, PA homes. Our plumbing usually taken for granted—that is, of course, until we run into a problem. Along with the water supply system, our sewerage system comprises our basic plumbing, and provides the rapid and efficient disposal of wastewater out of the home and into the septic tank or municipal waste management system. Occasionally, whether due to age or damage, our sewerage system may require repairs. Let’s take a look at some causes for sewer repair. When you need professional service, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling!

  • Clogging. Hair, grease, food scraps, and even toys may find their way down the drains and into the sewer line. Such substances may not completely block the passage of wastewater in and of themselves, but when they accumulate with other substances, they can form a thick wall that may clog your plumbing entirely. The use of harsh chemicals to break up these blockages can often damage your plumbing, and will be useless in the case of a serious sewer line clog, which is far from the fixtures and drains within your home.
  • Inefficiency. While you may not have encountered a total blockage, there may be times when it seems as though your wastewater is very slow to drain. When a plunger or auger doesn’t seem to do the trick, the problem might be deep in your sewer line, well out of the reach of the homeowner’s tool-set. The problem may be accumulated organic waste or even mineral deposits, which have significantly reduced the aperture of the piping.
  • Root penetration. While we often think of trees as static, if slow-moving, objects, they are incredibly powerful. In an area of large trees with complex and extensive root systems, the risk of a root penetrating your sewer line is high. While roots move at relatively slow rates, they exert incredible pressure, and may crush or crack your sewer line. This can cause sewage to leak into your backyard, or significant reductions in the efficiency of wastewater disposal.

These are just a handful of possible problems in your sewerage system. For exceptional Doylestown, PA sewer repair, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today! 

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Why You Need Professional Drain Cleaning Services

Monday, April 1st, 2013

When you need to schedule professional drain cleaning in Chalfont, just call the pros at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. That is the easy part. The difficult part for many homeowners is understanding why professional drain cleaning is necessary. Well, we have some information that should help you better understand why professional drain cleaning is so important. We know that the drains in your home serve a vital purpose. That is why we take such pride in the quality of the plumbing services we offer. Consider this information and call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling with any questions you may still have.

There are few problems that you may experience with the plumbing in your home that are more annoying than slow moving or clogged drains. What a lot of people fail to realize is that, in addition to being annoying, clogged drains can actually lead to much more serious problems in your home. Clogged drains can throw off the pressure in your plumbing system, which in turn can lead to numerous other problems.

While many homeowners think of clogged drains as a minor problem, they really do justify scheduling professional service to resolve. Over the counter chemical cleaners, for instance, may remove enough of a clog to allow water to flow through the drain. However, it is very unlikely that the clog will be completely cleared with such cleaners. Leaving parts of a clog behind means that in just a short time the clog will likely become large enough to cause issues again. Snaking drains is generally more effective, but without the skill and knowledge of a professional plumber it is easy to simply force the snake through a clog, leaving much of it attached to the surfaces of your drain pipe.

Call the Chalfont drain cleaning professionals at Carney Plumbing, Heating and Cooling to ensure that your drain cleaning service is a complete success. We use the latest tools and equipment, such as video camera pipe inspection, to make sure that the job is done right. Contact us today for more information or to schedule service.

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Hiring Guide When Looking for a Plumber

Monday, March 25th, 2013

While it may not be difficult to find a plumber in Lansdale, PA, finding a good one can be challenging. After all, your particular home needs are different from the next homeowner, and you want someone who’s fair, reliable, and does exceptional work. You shouldn’t have to settle for anything less. In this post, we’d like to draw on our experience as a team of comprehensive plumbing specialists to give you some tips on choosing a local plumber. When you need a plumber in Lansdale, PA, call Carney Plumbing Heating Cooling today! 

Here are some things to consider when hiring a plumber:

  • Reputation. In this trade, plumbers and homeowners alike rely on reputation. For plumbers, a good reputation is a seal of public approval for plumbing excellence. For homeowners, a plumber’s good reputation is a barometer of quality and trustworthiness. Check with your local Better Business Bureau to see if your plumber is in good standing.
  • Reliability. No matter what size your job is—to fix a leak under the kitchen sink or a comprehensive repiping—you need to be able to depend on your plumber to show up at the right time and to perform the work efficiently.
  • Quality. Quality is a difficult thing to measure, but you’ll know it when you see it. Most homeowners are adept at detecting when a tradesman has cut a few corners. Find a plumber whose reputation precedes him, so that when you hire him, you know you’ll receive exceptional work.
  • Courtesy. When you invite a plumber into your home, you need him to be courteous and professional. But you also want him to think of your home as an important place, whose cleanliness you take seriously. Find a plumber who is going to keep your home clean while he works, whether by wearing clean booties, or by using a drop cloth.
  • Value. A good plumber will give you exceptional quality at great value. You’ll know exactly what you’re paying for and why the work was performed.

We hope this brief hiring guide helps you find the right plumber for your needs. If you’re looking for a plumber in Lansdale, PA, look no further than Carney Plumbing Heating Cooling for exceptional service at great value. Call us today! 

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Plumbing Guide: Water Heater Noises and What They Mean

Monday, February 25th, 2013

Does your water heater rumble or produce a popping noise? What does that mean? While water heaters are constructed to last long, water heater noises may be an indication that your water heater needs professional service. To learn more about water heater noises and how they affect the hot water in your Langhorne, PA home, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today.

If it sounds as though your water heater is boiling water, it probably is. When sediment collects at the bottom of a tanked water heater, it can cause overheating. The sediment varies greatly, but can contain lime, water scale, silicates, sulfates, aluminates, or silt and sand. This is a common problem and may require periodic system flushing to clear out the build-up.  Homeowners should also consult with their local water heater professionals to see if installing a sediment filter would help to prevent a large amount of build-up.

If you have hard water, merely flushing the system may not work. Because the minerals responsible for hard water—calcium and magnesium—often bind to the insides of the water heater, they cannot be flushed as easily. Because minerals in the water tend to precipitate at the hottest parts of the system, the bottom of your tank water heater is their preferred location. Regular deliming of your system by manual scraping or by a de-liming agent can greatly reduce the chance of permanent water heater damage, and it will also greatly improve the energy-efficiency of your water heater. If you have an electric water heater, lime scale can build upon the electrodes themselves.

Not only will the regular cleaning of your system reduce any irritating noises, the results will benefit your entire water heating system. Your water heater costs will generally be lower than with a system full of scale, and you’ll be extending the life of your water heater. If left alone, you may find you don’t have enough hot water on some days, or that you have dramatically slowed the heat-up rate.

If your water heater requires frequent repair, or if it is very old, consider replacing it with a new model. Not only are today’s water heaters more efficient, but they also tend to last longer. Schedule a consultation with your local water heater technician to learn more about your options in Langhorne, PA. Call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today.

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Why Schedule Water Heater Maintenance?

Monday, February 18th, 2013

If your water heater is no longer operating like it once did, or if you have any other concerns about its performance, you may want to think about scheduling a routine water heater maintenance visit. Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling offers comprehensive and affordable maintenance that help Bucks County homeowners to upkeep their existing water heaters, as well as other components of their heating and cooling systems.  Call Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling today for more information.

The main reason why you should consider scheduling a water heater maintenance is because it can save you money. A nominal upfront cost today not only gives you peace of mind for the entire year, it also gives the expert technicians at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling an opportunity to prevent major problems in your water heater before they start. Whether you have a tanked or tankless water heater, our team will inspect and perform any necessary repairs.

If your water heater is old, has rust on its exterior, leaks, or if your water is no longer hot enough, there can be a variety of problems with your system. Scheduling maintenance helps make your water heater more efficient by having a technician inspect your equipment, and carry out any repairs that are needed, from sealing leaks to replacing parts. Indeed, if you feel that your water heater is too old and repairs are becoming too costly, the professional water heater team at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling will be able to give you reliable and honest advice on the best way to proceed. We can determine your water heating needs, as well as offer some tips for how to improve your home’s water efficiency. As one of the leading water heating experts in Bucks County, Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling is committed to helping you extend the life of your water heater. It’s as simple as giving us a call.

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