My Drain Company Blog : Posts Tagged ‘Tarzana’

Why Pinhole Leaks are a Serious Threat to Your Plumbing

Wednesday, March 4th, 2015

Decades ago, plumbers installed galvanized steel pipes throughout a plumbing system, as these were considered to be the strongest, longest-lasting material available for the job. Steel pipes corrode easily, as steel is an iron alloy and iron rusts when it is exposed to water and oxygen. Galvanizing the pipes involves coating them with a layer of zinc that helps to protect them from rust and corrosion. However, plumbers soon found out that that layer of zinc does not always last long, or that corrosion can start from the outside in.

Today, copper pipes are the norm, as these are far less likely to corrode. However, you may still run into trouble if your pipes develop pinhole leaks. Pinhole leaks are rare, but they can occur in any plumbing system without warning. Call My Drain Company today for kitchen and bathroom plumbing services in Tarzana, CA.

What Are Pinhole Leaks?

Pinhole leaks are a serious threat to both kitchen and bathroom plumbing systems. These are tiny leaks that develop from the inside out, causing water to drip out very slowly which often remains undetected for long periods of time. Unfortunately, experts are still unsure as to how pinhole leaks develop. Sometimes, an entire neighborhood is affected by this type of corrosion, and experts study the water chemistry to attempt to form an idea of how they occur so that preventive action can be taken. Unfortunately, no links have been found for certain as of yet.

Pinhole leaks can affect your plumbing and damage your home. These leaks are so minor, you may not notice them until water begins to seep through the walls. By this point, you have a major mess on your hands, as water may have already ruined structural beams and flooring, and several pipes may require replacement by this point.

If you want to make sure that the pipes in your home are in good shape, call the experts at My Drain Company. You should call us if you notice a drop in your water pressure, dark spots on the walls and ceilings, or if you simply want to make sure your kitchen and bathroom plumbing in Tarzana, CA is protected with a professional maintenance visit. Get in touch today!

Benefits and Drawbacks of a Low Flow Toilet

Friday, May 23rd, 2014

Efforts at water conservation in Southern California have led to many homeowners installing low-flow toilets. These fixtures can reduce the amount of water used per flush by more than three quarters, thanks to their gravity assist and high pressure operation. This means substantial savings along with their environmentally-friendly water use.

We specialize in plumbing in Tarzana, CA that will make your life easier and more economical.

If you are ready to upgrade your house and downgrade the amount of water you use on a day-to-day basis, call My Drain Company today.

The low-flow toilet benefits

The water savings from a low-flow toilet can be tremendous. This will help your annual budget and it will contribute to water conservation efforts, which are always important in dry Southern California.

How much can you expect to save? It depends on your water usage, the amount of toilets in your house, the number of people who live there, and local costs per gallon. Here’s an example to give you an idea of what you might save: A low-flow toilet uses 1.7 gallons per flush, while a standard toilet uses 7 gallons. A toilet, on average, flushes 6 times a day. Over a year, with an average per gallon price of $0.04 (the baseline for So Cal), a standard toilet will use 15,000 gallons and cost $600. A low-flow toilet will use 3,500 gallons and cost $140. That’s a savings of $460 in one year! As an investment in savings and to benefit the environment, low flow toilets are a great choice.

The low-flow toilet drawbacks

Although low-flow toilets are designed to work through pressure or gravity to compensate for the reduced volume of water flow, they can have trouble with larger waste removal. They can run in particular trouble with paper-based waste and garbage. You should avoid using any toilet as a wastebasket, but with a low-flow toilet you could cause clog very easily. In general, you should expect increased clogging issues and should always keep a plunger handy in case. Low-flow toilets also cost more than standard models, but they should pay for themselves in less than a year.

Find out more about low-flow toilet installation

Installing low-flow toilets is a basic job for professionals. Call My Drain Company if you want to know more about how effectively a low-flow model can work for your home, as well as what you can potentially save. For your Tarzana, CA plumbing needs, look to our more than 15 years of experience.