jpplumbinginc.net

Slow Sink Drains

Sink drains are generally slow due to  build up at the pop-up drain. To clear a slow drain fill the sink with about 1″ of water. Use a paper towel to plug off the overflow opening near the sink rim. Place a plunger over the drain and in a force full motion press up and down on the plunger handle. Repeat the process a couple of times until the drain is clear.

Slow Tub drains

Remove the strainer at the outlet of the tub and check for build up of hair.  If a plunger is required first remove the trip lever screws then take out the trip lever. Take a paper towel and plug off the opening. Fill the tub with about 1″ of water, with the plunger in one hand covering the drain and the other hand applying pressure to the overflow opening. Move the plunger up and down in a force full motion to clear the stoppage. Repeat these steps several times until the drain runs clear.

Submitted by:

JimPhaneuf

July 15,2010

Pinhole leaks on copper water lines appear in all areas served by AA County Public water. JP Plumbing has been making repairs in Severna Park, Arnold, Annapolis, Gambrills and Crofton for several years. The spot appears as a green stain about ¼ “ in diameter on the first 20’ of copper hot water pipe after the water heater. JP Plumbing has not had any green dots pinhole leaks on customers copper pipes with water supplied by Annapolis City. Our plumbers have been replacing small sections with Type L copper, and in cases, where large sections appear, the plumber might recommend installing cpvc plastic. I recommend that the homeowner look for any stains after the water heater. If the stains are present call us at JP Plumbing 410-757-8157 to schedule a service call or visit the web site @ jpplumbinginc.net
Submitted by Jim Phaneuf
July 02, 2010

JP Plumbing was rated as a FINALIST for the BEST PLUMBER in Annapolis. The Capital-Gazette Newspaper polled their readers and posted the Winners in May 2010.
Posted June 22, 2010

Low water pressure is a common problem for houses in Annapolis, Crownsville, and Gambrills. If you detect low pressure, surging of the water when a faucet is running,  black or cloudy water there is a chance the bladder is defective.  Most well tanks have rubber diaphragm that separates the water from the air in the tank.  The well tank is pressurized between 20-30lbs from the factory. The rubber in the well tank breaks down after a period and causes the surging .  I recommend draining the tank completely and checking the snifter valve on the well tank.  The pressure should be at least 20lbs or just lower than the cut on point of the pressure switch.  The ruptured bladder is a common problem and will cause the well pump to run in short cycles and can be very costly if not repaired.   Call JP Plumbing at 410-757-8157 with any questions on testing the well tank or with any plumbing repair. Customers can also schedule service calls  online @ jpplumbinginc.net .

Submitted by Jim Phaneuf

June 20, 2010

Md. Master Plumber # 6700

Tired of worrying about flooded basements each time Annapolis gets a thunderstorm. JP Plumbing is recommending a Liberty water power backup sump for our customers on public water.  The SumpJet^® (Model SJ10) is a water powered back-up sump pump that will protect your basement in the case of a power outage. This unique product is powered by your municipal water supply** and requires no electricity to operate! With a compact high efficiency design, The SumpJet^® removes 2 gallons of sump water per 1 gallon used.  The SumpJet^® is fully automatic, arrives completely assembled, and comes backed with Liberty’s standard 2 year warranty.                                                                                                                                         **The SJ10 requires an uninterrupted water source to operate.  If you have a well pump, the SJ10 will not operate during power outages

Another option is the Liberty SJ10A Water Powered Back Up Pump with indoor 115v alarm with 9v battery back up.  Compact probe mounted sensor, auxiliary contacts with visual and audio alarm.
Contact Jim Phaneuf at 410-757-8157 or schedule a service call online at jpplumbinginc.net

Submitted by Jim Phaneuf

Md.  Master Plumber #6700

May 19, 2010

Dean Crouse replaced a twenty year old builder grade water  heater on May 12, 2010 at Sturbridge Rd in Arnold near Annapolis. The customer requested a Ruud 80 Gallon Pro-Series water heater after some research online.  The Ruud Pro-Series water heater is only available through your local plumbers.  The heater has features not available on standard water heaters like a brass boiler drain, stainless steel lower element, R-tech anode rod, and also more insulation to reduce heat loss. Call Jim Phaneuf at 410-757-8157 , visit your Annapolis Plumbers website with any questions.

Roots in a sewer lines are a common problem for homes in the Annapolis area. The roots will find a joint on any sewer line and feed off the moisture in the pipe. Most older sewer lines are terra cotta pipe with joints every two feet. Cast iron was the next choice for plumbers and the joints were sealed with oakum and lead or rubber gaskets in the newer cast iron sewers. Pvc plastic has been the pipe installed on most sewers in Anne Arundel County for the past twenty years. The tree roots generally can’t enter pvc pipe at the glue joints, but can find an opening at a rubber gasket. Another source of roots is when the ground settles causing the sewer to crack or break. The roots will then find an opening and will grow in the sewer line. Mechanical removal is an excellent short-term solution. If the roots are cut and left untreated they will come back bigger and stronger. This process will eventually destroy a sewer line and require the line to be dug up and replaced.The best method to remove roots is a sewer machine with a cutting blade. This will generally clear the stoppage and cut out the section of roots. The next step is RootX treatment to prevent any future growth in the pipes.                                                                                                                                                                                                RootX is the preferred treatment by JP Plumbing.  RootX is packaged as two dry powder components in one container. When these components come in contact with water they create a sticky foam that fills the entire pipeline surfaces with RootX formula. With a unique foaming action, RootX reaches the the top of the pipe where 90% of the roots intrusion occurs. RootX leaves a residual above the water line that continues to kill roots and inhibits new growth for up to 12 months.

Contact us at 410-757-8157 or visit the web site at jpplumbinginc.net for videos on the use of RootX                                                                                                                                                 Submitted by Jim Phaneuf

We installed a Ruud HP-50 Heat Pump Water heater today and was quite impressed with the heater. The Ruud Heat pump heater was very quiet and sounded like a small air conditioner.  This water heater qualifies for about a $900 rebate on Federal taxes and a $300 Maryland rebate for any ENERGY STAR unit installed after April 22, 2010. The Ruud HP-50 Heat Pump water heater normally costs about $2995  before any rebates or discounts.  So for those of you thinking about replacing your standard electric water heater, consider this unit which will also save you about $300 per year on your BG&E electric bill.  Check out our web page for a $100 coupon.

Introducing a new Ruud Energy-efficient product, the Heat Pump Water Heater is designed to replace a traditional 50-gallon electric water heater. The Ruud air-source heat pump water heaters work much like a refrigerator in reverse. The heat pump extracts the heat from warm air, intensifies the heat with a compressor, delivers the heat to the water, and exhausts the cooler air. Because it uses the warm ambient air temperature to do most of the work, it is a very efficient way to heat water.

The Benefits:

• Up to a $1,500.00 Federal tax rebate for 2010
• Saves $300.00 per year in operating costs
• A 2.0 Energy Star Factor- The Heat Pump is twice as efficient as a standard electric water heater
• Easy-to-use LED touch pad controls the water temperature range, 3 energy efficiency settings, and overall operation

• Installs as easily as a standard electric water heater
• Standard 3/4″ NPT water inlet, outlet and condensate drain connections
• 10-Year limited tank and parts warranty

• 2 ½” Non CFC foam insulation

• 3-5 year payback with Federal Tax Credits

Choosing the best location:

For best heat pump operation, the temperature in your location of choice should average 40 degrees or above. Choose a warm installation site like an attic, garage or basement.  The minimum requirements of the room size would be a 10’x10’x10’ room.

Federal Tax Credit Up To $1500.00

This heat pump water heater qualifies for the energy efficient building property federal tax credit of up to $1,500. The federal tax credit is limited to 30% of energy efficient building property and cost of installation through 2010, with a total limit of $1,500. Additional state and local utility incentives may also be available.

The cold weather is right around the corner and JP Plumbing wants to help you out! There are two types of outdoor hose connections in the Annapolis area that should be winterized for the freezing weather. JP Plumbing would like to share with you the different kinds of outdoor faucets and how to prepare them for the winter weather.

Close handle and open bleed cap

Open the handle to allow air in pipe

The  Standard hose bibs found more in older homes in the surrounding areas of Annapolis have two separate valves to look for. The first valve is your outdoor faucet. The second valve is your shut off valve, which you can find in a basement or in a heated area. The first step to winterize this style faucet is to turn off the shut off valve and open up the bleed cap on the side to allow air inside the pipes. The second step is to open the outdoor faucet allowing the pipe to drain out any water left inside the pipes. You have now winterized your outdoor Standard faucet!  If these steps are not completed, any water left in the pipes could potentially freeze causing a crack or break at the faucet.

Disconnect Garden Hose in Winter

The second style hose bib that can be found in the Annapolis, Anne Arundel County area is a Frost Proof hose bib. These valves extend into a heated space area and have the luxury of not having to drain the faucet for the cold weather. However, there is only one step that needs to be done for winterizing these faucets. The garden hose needs to be removed from the outdoor faucet during the winter months. When a hose stays connected to it during the winter months the hose can hold water inside the valve leading it to potentially freeze and  split the faucet.

Submitted By: Jim Phaneuf