My Drain Company Blog : Archive for February, 2015

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore a Leaky Faucet

Wednesday, February 25th, 2015

Everyone has to deal with the odd leaky faucet every now and again. It seems like such a trivial thing, though, that it’s almost a waste to call a plumber just to fix it. You may be tempted to simply tune out the dripping sound, let it keep going, and get on with your life. This is not a good idea. Leaky faucets waste a huge amount of water, and can eventually develop into bigger problems. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest reasons why you shouldn’t ignore a leaky faucet.

Leaks Waste Quite a Bit of Water

Even though a leaky faucet often leaks no more than a drop of water every few seconds, those drops really start to add up over the course of a year. The EPA has estimated that the average household’s total leaks can add up to over 10,000 gallons of water a year. Most of the leaks in a home are no larger than that of a leaky faucet, so it’s actually incredibly easy to waste a lot of water this way. Nationwide, those kinds of small leaks can waste 1 trillion gallons of water. Not only is this absurdly wasteful, it’s easily corrected by calling a plumber. Saving all of that water can have a measurable effect on your water bill, resulting in a decent bit of savings.

Leaks Can Get Worse Over Time

Leaks are usually either caused by corrosion in a pipe or a failed seal. A leaky faucet is a sign that a part somewhere in the system has begun to fail. The longer you go without fixing that part, the worse it’s going to get. As a leak progresses, you both waste more water and leave your plumbing open to more damage. A constant leak can cause corrosion in other parts of the system, as well as promoting mold growth in areas like the garbage disposal.

Ultimately, it’s just not worth leaving a leaky faucet alone. If you have a leaky faucet that needs fixing, schedule an appointment with My Drain Company. We provide quality kitchen plumbing services throughout the Burbank, CA area.

Tags: Burbank, Kitchen Plumbing
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How Your Water Main Might Become Damaged

Monday, February 16th, 2015

We tend to take our potable water for granted, but the whole reason we have potable water in our homes is in large part thanks to the water main line. Water main lines are typically fairly long and consist of pretty heavy-duty piping, but they are not impervious to damage. Any damage your water line sustains is a serious situation as it can affect your home’s entire water supply. So what are some of the ways your water main can become damaged? Here are some scenarios:

Shifts in the ground – the ground can shift in subtle ways over the years, causing cracks and ruptures to develop in your main water line.

Age of the pipe’s metal – water main lines are made to last a long time, but the type of metal the pipe is made from can have a direct impact on its lifespan. Metals like copper have an average lifespan of 40-70 years while iron can last well over 100 years. If the water line is relatively new, you probably won’t have to worry about aging, but if it was installed 50 years ago, you may need to have it looked at by a professional.

Tree roots – tree roots are one of the main culprits of many water line problems, and you may be surprised at how much damage they can cause. Tree roots are very strong – so strong that they can wrap around the metal and break it over a period of time. The only way to rid your water of tree roots is to fully eradicate them, so it is necessary to have an expert take care of this kind of problem.

Corrosion – water lines are typically treated so that they don’t corrode, but this is not a guarantee that rust won’t develop. The main problem with rust is that once it takes hold, it’s hard to get rid of, and you won’t see the corrosion because the water line is buried in your yard.

If you are seeing the signs of water main problems, such as low water pressure, puddling in your yard or strange odors coming from your water, call the plumbing experts at My Drain Company and schedule a plumbing service in Encino today.

Tags: Encino, Plumbing
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Lupercalia: The Origin of St. Valentine’s Day

Saturday, February 14th, 2015

Many people may think of Valentine’s Day as a holiday essentially created by card and gift companies, but the truth is that the holiday has long-standing roots going back to the Roman Empire. The name “Lupercalia” has its origins in the word “lupus”, which means wolf, and the reason for this is that according to Roman pagan religion, the she-wolf Lupa nursed the two orphaned infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome.

The Festival

The Festival of Lupercalia spanned two days each February, from February 13^th to 15^th. The festival was about fertility and was led by Luperci priests, known as “brothers of the wolf”. The festival was serious with intention (fertility) but was executed as quite a romp for both the priests and citizens of Rome. The process was this: two male goats and a dog were sacrificed at the beginning of the festival by the priests; two young Luperci were then anointed with the blood from the animals, and the hides of the animals were cut into straps. As food and drink flowed, the male priests would run around the city wearing nothing but thongs made from the animal skins, and they also carried a strap from one of the sacrificed animals. The strap was used to strike the palms of Roman women waiting for the priests in the city, as it was believed that being hit with the strap could help with infertility issues and a safe, healthy labor for women who were pregnant.

The Transition to St. Valentine’s Day

The Christian influence of the holiday came around the 5^th century. The Roman Empire was still strong, but Christianity was rapidly taking hold throughout the world. It is believed that to try and remove the paganism from the holiday, the deaths of two men, supposedly both named Valentine, were added into the mix. During the 3^rd and 4^th centuries, a law created by Claudius II forbade young men eligible for military service to marry, because Rome wanted a strong army. The two men named Valentine were priests, and married young couples in secret. Both were found out and executed on February 14^th, although in separate years. The Church made Valentine a saint (they chose one), and Lupercalia became St. Valentine’s Day.

Here’s wishing you and your loved one a Happy Valentine’s Day!

Tags: Happy Valentines Day
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The Steps Involved in Plumbing Installation

Thursday, February 5th, 2015

There are plenty of guidebooks and online forums which claim to offer universal advice for the average homeowner to install any particular plumbing fixture, appliance, or even pipes. But it should be noted that every home plumbing system is different, and you may face unique challenges while attempting to install a system on your own that could lead to some costly repairs. At My Drain Company, we recommend choosing experts for any major or minor plumbing installation in Chatsworth. The steps of installation can be tricky, and we’ve detailed some of the challenges in this guide.

Choosing a new pipe or fixture – First, your technician must work with you to select the plumbing installation you want or need in your home. However, the part must be compatible with your existing plumbing system or else some remodeling will be necessary.
Shutting off the water – Your technician knows all of the many configurations and locations for shutoff valves in a home. It’s imperative to cut off the water supply before beginning work or to turn off the water only at a point of entry, as there are occasionally built-in shutoff valves at the location of fixtures and appliances. Be aware that homeowners may accidentally mistake other valves like saddle tee fittings for a shutoff valve instead.
Checking local codes – A plumber must make sure that the planned installation complies with all local codes. In some instances, you’re required to submit your plan in writing to your municipality for approval before work can begin.
Removing the previous fixture – Now this is a job that’s going to require quite a bit of heavy lifting and some serious tools. Prying up a toilet, for example, is never easy, and requires special tools and materials to remove large bolts and wax seals.
Sealing the fixture – Cutting pipes apart and sealing them into place involves purchasing and utilizing a reciprocating saw and a soldering torch. A professional also needs base knowledge of and access to professional-grade sealants to prevent leaks.
Inspection – Finally, a technician is best suited to inspect the fixture for leaks and ensure that the fixture, pipe, or appliance continues to work as needed and that leaks are not expected in the near future.

Call My Drain Company and let our experts take care of your new sump pump, garbage disposal, toilet, sink, piping, or nearly any other plumbing installation in Chatsworth.