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A Perfect Plumber A Perfect Plumber
State Plumbing Contractor #: PC.0002419 | Responsible Master Plumber #: MP.00188973
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FAQ

  • General Plumbing

    • Ice is an extremely effective and inexpensive method for cleaning your garbage disposal, sharpening the blades and breaking up any grease build-up. Just toss a few ice cubes into the garbage disposal and run it. As the garbage disposal chops into the ice cubes, the ice chips will effectively scour all the hard to reach areas of the unit, and melt down the drain. Try this once or twice a month to keep your garbage disposal in fine working order.
    • The short answer is “Yes.” Most liquid cleaners are very caustic and contain very harmful chemicals. For those of you with older pipes, the liquid drain cleaners can “eat through” old p-traps or even pipes in the wall. We suggest using an enzyme cleaner such as Bio Clean to maintain drains and keep them flowing.
    • An unexpected increase in your water bill is a sign that you have a leak. Even if you don’t see the leak, you could have a hidden one.
    • If your toilet starts overflowing, don’t panic. You can prevent the toilet from losing more water by shutting off the valve located behind the toilet. Then, clean up the water and call the plumber.
    • When a sink is slow to drain, there’s a clog somewhere in the line. The clog could be minor or major, but it should be addressed quickly.
    • As soon as you notice the burst pipe, shut off the water at the main valve and call a plumber. There’s no time to waste.
    • You might be used to a rattle coming from your pipes, but it’s not normal. Typically, rattling pipes are caused by unsecured pipes or pressure issues.
    • Faucets leak for many reasons, but corroded gaskets, valves, and o-rings are the most common reasons.

  • Plumbing Equipment

    • Most outside spigots or hose bibs in our area are frost-free. What this means is they drain out excess water when they are shut off. If you leave your hoses on, the water cannot drain out and the drain tube can freeze, causing a broken pipe and a big mess.
    • Ice is an extremely effective and inexpensive method for cleaning your garbage disposal, sharpening the blades and breaking up any grease build-up. Just toss a few ice cubes into the garbage disposal and run it. As the garbage disposal chops into the ice cubes, the ice chips will effectively scour all the hard to reach areas of the unit, and melt down the drain. Try this once or twice a month to keep your garbage disposal in fine working order.
    • There are some areas of town that have very high water pressure at the street. High water pressure is anything over 80 psi (pounds per square inch) in a residence. In most cases you already have a pressure regulator and it probably needs to be replaced.
    • The handle of your toilet may be getting stuck, which leaves the flapper open. Unless the flapper is closed, the water will continue to flow.

  • Water Filtration

    • Hard water is calcium and magnesium that is dissolved in the water. It is absorbed as water travels in streams and through the ground on its way to its source. Calcium is mainly responsible for all the hard water problems that need to be treated. It is classified as temporary hardness. Magnesium is permanent hardness and is rarely an issue. Water hardness is responsible for some types of water spotting, scale build up and can play havoc with soaps and detergents. Extreme hard water can make water undesirable to drink and can be harmful to humans and animals. Hardness is measured in grains per gallon (gpg). A simple way to describe this measurement is to take an aspirin tablet, it is 5 grains. If water is 20 grains hard, that would be the equivalent to 4 aspirin tablets of calcium and magnesium dissolved in one gallon of water. Water Hardness can be effectively treated with Water Conditioners and Water Softeners depending on the desired results.

    • Whole House Water Systems typically treat water to make it more palatable (easy to drink) and cleaner for the entire home. These systems are installed at the main water line so every fixture in the home will have treated water. Depending on the claims from the manufacturer, Whole House Water Treatment Systems can include, Water Conditioners, Reverse Osmosis, Filtration and Ultra Violet Disinfection. Water Softeners are not classified as a Whole House Filtration System because they have a single task of softening the water and many people do not find softened water favorable to drink because of the added sodium and taste.
    • Ultraviolet disinfection is one of nature’s ways of sterilizing. It can easily be reproduced by mankind through ultraviolet lamps. One of the most common uses of ultraviolet sterilization is the disinfection of domestic water supplies. Water to be sterilized enters into a chamber with ultraviolet lighting present. As the water flows through the U.V. chamber, the ultraviolet rays penetrate the organism. It causes a molecular rearrangement of the DNA and prevents it from reproducing. If the cell cannot reproduce, the organism is considered dead. The advantage of U.Vs is there are no chemicals such as chlorine used to disinfect the water supply, making the water supply safe and healthy for the consumer. Water treatment specialists will typically use U.V to treat the water as a final step just before it reaches the point of use because it does not affect the taste of the water. U.V is effective with a 99.99% kill rate and is used in air and water purification, sewage treatment, food and beverage protection. It will lose its strength and effectiveness over a period of time. Service and bulb replacement is required to assure the best protection that U.V can provide.
    • Soft water is water that has never been exposed to calcium or magnesium or these elements have been removed through a process that replaces calcium or magnesium with sodium chloride (table salt). The term softened water reflects the hardness minerals have been exchanged through a mechanical process called a water softener.
    • Activated Carbon, Carbon Filtration is an inexpensive and effective way to remove organics and improve the overall aesthetics of the water. There are three grades of carbon: Coal based, Lignite (wood), and Coconut Shell. The surface of carbon has a natural tendency to attract organics such as insecticides, pesticides, oil and gasoline. Municipal water supplies are commonly disinfected with chlorine and chloramines. Carbon provides an economic and impressive way to eliminate them. Coconut shell is the most common type of carbon used in the water treatment industry. Whole house water systems, reverse osmosis, and simple water filtration devices depend on carbon pre-treatment or final treatment, depending on the application.
    • Reverse Osmosis commonly referred to as R.O. is used to remove solids and impurities from water. It is done through membrane technology and can be enhanced with carbon water filtration if used for drinking water purposes. In reverse osmosis, water is typically pre-treated for heavy sediment removal, scale prevention and chlorine removal. This will extend the life of the membrane which is the heart of the system. Pre-treated water enters the membrane capsule. Water pressure (called osmotic pressure in technical terms) forces the water against the membrane. Any molecule that is the size of a water molecule or smaller will pass through the membrane, (permeate or product water) anything larger is retained on the back side of the membrane (concentrate or reject water). Because the product water is produced at a much slower rate than the flow required, the water is sent to a storage system. It will remain there until the water is demanded from the consumer. The rejected water and its impurities are sent to the drain or are used for other purposes where quality water is not needed. When product water is desired, it is pumped or pressurized by hydro pneumatic tanks to its source. Many reverse osmosis systems will provide additional carbon water filtration at this point to “polish the water” just before it reaches its final destination. Reverse Osmosis is effective in the removal of impurities and minerals and can be used in most cases where distilled water is required.

  • Construction Remodels

    • Although there are unlicensed people who may offer to fix your plumbing, you should only work with a licensed professional. Doing so is the only way to guarantee they’re well-trained and have the experience for the job. You should also make sure they are insured.
    • In an effort to save money, you may consider doing your own plumbing repairs. This is a mistake that could result in an injury or further damage to your plumbing.
    • If you find yourself needing constant plumbing repairs, you should consider repiping your home. In the long-run, it’s cheaper than making frequent repairs. To find out if your home is a candidate for repiping, speak with an experienced plumber.
    • Before you need to fix frozen pipes, take action. Insulate your pipes well or leave your water on a slow drop on cold nights.
    • The best way to prevent water damage is to be on the lookout for leaks and to receive regular maintenance of your plumbing system. As soon as you notice an issue, call an experienced plumber.

  • Water Heaters

    • In some locations sheet metal pans are required and in other situations they are highly recommended. Water heaters located in interior closets, on structural flooring, or on/above the main floor require pans to protect the house/building.
    • The typical answer to this is between 8-12 years. When deciding on what repairs to consider for your water heater, it is always good to take the age into account. You would not typically want to make repairs to a water heater that is at its life expectancy as you may have to replace it sooner than later.
    • If your water heater used to provide enough water, then it is likely that there is quite a bit of sediment building up or your dip tube is going bad. These issues can usually be fixed, but depending on the age of your water heater, it may be time to replace it.
    • This could be quite a few different things. The most common issue is your pilot light may have gone out. This is a simple thing to do and the instructions should be printed on the water heater.
    • Waiting a long time at the faucet for hot water to arrive is usually due to the plumbing in the home. When the hot water leaves the tank of the water heater it has to travel through the piping to reach the faucet. If you have a ranch style home or a large home sometimes these “plumbing runs” can be long and it takes a while for the hot water to arrive. Recirculation pump systems are a good solution to this problem.
    • Having a noisy water heater is mostly a nuisance, but it could also mean a problem is present. As water heaters age sediment accumulates at the bottom of the tank, this is especially true if the water heater has not been drained on a regular basis. The noise described as “rumbling” usually is the sound of expanding heated water escaping from sediment at the bottom of a tank. This situation is not dangerous, but it is a sign that the water heater has lost much of its efficiency. As sediment builds up, more and more heat is lost up the flue and less heat gets into your water. The overheating of the bottom of the tank also shortens the life of the tank and can lead to the failure of the water heater. Certain areas are notorious for “bad” water and in these areas flushing the water heater can extend its life and save on energy costs. However once sediment is allowed to build up and solidify (It is similar to coral) it can be almost impossible to remove from residential model heaters. To prevent this solidification a homeowner can flush the water heater periodically. If the sediment can be flushed out, it should fix the problem. If not it may be time to replace your water heater.

  • Tankless Water Heaters

    • Yes. The heat exchanger, burner assembly, air and water inlets, and other items need to be checked/cleaned yearly in most cases.
    • Because a tankless water heater turns on when you open a hot water faucet and turns off when you close the faucet, the energy that is consumed is only for the hot water that is being used. Since there is no storage of water, and thus no constant heating and reheating of stored water, you are not wasting energy heating water when you do not need it, such as when you are sleeping or not at home. This energy savings translates to dollar savings for you and reduced impact on our environment. Furthermore, since a tankless water heater heats the water as you use it, you can have an endless supply of hot water, provided you size the unit appropriately.
    • When you open a faucet, the flow of the water triggers the heater to turn on. Whether you use gas or electricity, the powerful gas burners or electrical elements will turn on, rapidly heating the water as it passes through the unit. The water is heated instantly, and the time it takes to obtain hot water is directly related to the distance the hot water has to travel from the water heater to where hot water is being used. The burners or elements then shut down when you shut off the hot water. The energy that is consumed is only for the hot water that is being used.
    • Although some people are perfectly fine with a traditional hot water heater, there are several benefits to using a tankless water heater. They never run out of water and can save you money.
    • There are many advantages to having a tankless water heater in your home. Besides the money savings, endless hot water and smaller impact on the environment, a tankless water heater:
      • Is very small and can hang on the wall, thereby saving you valuable floor space.
      • Is designed with replaceable parts and is built with such materials as copper, stainless steel, and aluminum so as to last a lifetime. Energy savings is only one segment of savings? with proper care this could be the only water heater one needs in a lifetime.
      • Is almost entirely recyclable, so if you ever decide to replace it, it doesn’t have to go to the landfill.
      • Will not develop a corrosive leak like a storage tank water heater, saving you from expensive water damage in your home. Note: A tankless water heater can leak if it is exposed to freezing temperatures or has a manufacturing defect.
      • Maintains its efficiency throughout the lifetime of the unit. Storage tank water heaters decrease in efficiency over time due to mineral build-up inside the tank. This is due to the fact that storage tank water heaters store hot water, giving those minerals a chance to settle out and bake from the heat onto the walls of the tank, and onto the heating element in electric models, thereby reducing heat transfer.

  • Boilers

    • A boiler is part of a heating system that heats your home by using water. A hot water boiler system circulates water in the heat exchanger of your boiler, which is then pumped through pipes to heat baseboards or radiators before returning to the unit to start the cycle all over again. A furnace is part of a heating system that heats your home with hot air. A blower motor moves air through the furnace where it is heated and then distributes the hot air throughout a home’s duct system. The heat is then released from the duct system through the vents and registers in your home.
    • We, along with most manufacturers and contractors, recommend a yearly checkup of your boiler system. These inspections can help catch small fixes before they become expensive repairs, and also maintain the health and safety of your boiler system.
    • Yes. Leaks around a boiler are usually caused by pressure issues, worn seals, or a failing valve or pipe connection. Shut the system off and call us — a neglected boiler leak can cause significant water damage.
    • Many heating systems — especially boilers, radiant floor heat, and hydronic baseboard — are water-based systems. That means the pipes, valves, pumps, and connections are squarely in a licensed plumber's expertise. If your heating system involves water or gas lines, a Master Plumber is often the most qualified person for the job.
    • Some “combi” boilers can heat hot water for your home, as well as provide heat. Other boiler systems can use an external water tank called an indirect water heater to heat and store hot water for showers, etc.
    • Of course! Adding zones to your heating system can help keep the main living areas of your home warm and comfortable, while maximizing energy efficiency by lowering the heat in unoccupied rooms or other areas of your home that don’t need as much warmth.
    • Banging, gurgling, or whistling from a boiler usually points to trapped air, low water pressure, limescale buildup, or a failing circulator pump. These issues should be looked at promptly to avoid more serious damage.

  • HVAC Services

    • We recommend a professional tune-up twice a year — once in the fall before heating season and once in the spring before cooling season. Regular maintenance extends the life of your system, improves efficiency, and helps you avoid unexpected breakdowns when you need it most.
    • A furnace heats air and distributes it through ductwork. A boiler heats water and distributes warmth through radiators, baseboard units, or in-floor tubing. Boilers are essentially a plumbing system that produces heat — which is exactly why plumbers are often better equipped to service them than general HVAC technicians. Furnaces involve more ductwork and electrical components, but when gas lines or venting are involved, a licensed plumber should be part of the picture.
    • An aging or inefficient system, a clogged filter, leaking ducts, or poor insulation are the most common causes. Since heating accounts for more than half of the average Colorado home's energy costs, even a small efficiency problem adds up quickly. A professional inspection can pinpoint the issue.
    • Many heating systems — especially boilers, radiant floor heat, and hydronic baseboard — are water-based systems. That means the pipes, valves, pumps, and connections are squarely in a licensed plumber's expertise. If your heating system involves water or gas lines, a Master Plumber is often the most qualified person for the job.
    • If your furnace is old, needs frequent repairs, or struggles to heat your home evenly, it may be time for a more efficient model. Colorado's new Ultra Low NOx regulations also mean that any new furnace installed today must meet updated efficiency standards — we can walk you through what that means for your home.
    • Check your thermostat settings, replace the filter if it's dirty, and check your circuit breakers or pilot light. If the system still won't start, shut it off completely and call us — don't wait it out in the cold.
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