Category: Plumbing

 

In 1990, the General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed August 21st of every year to be World Senior Citizen Day. Originally established by President Ronald Reagan in 1988, the holiday was put into place to bring into light the obstacles the elder community faces.

While this is a worthy cause, and something everyone should celebrate and support, your aging plumbing system should not be a part of the holiday. An aging plumbing system is not something to celebrate, but something to be concerned about.

With this thought in mind, we thought we would give some insight as to why a new plumbing system can be a better alternative to constant breakdowns and repairs. Though repairs can be costly and inconvenient, the health effects associated with your indoor water quality can be a greater issue.

Your Pipes Have Health Effects In Your Home

There are many known health effects that come from poor water quality. Many of the harmful debris found in our water can be reduced by having clean filters and up to date pipe systems. Though there are many other products and chemicals that contribute to your overall indoor water quality.

Although many times it is invisible, the inside of your pipes dictates the environment that your water travels through. Every now and again it is important to have drain cleaning, or hydrojetting, services done to your pipe system. This ensures that the water leaving your faucets is free of bacteria from deposits within your plumbing system.

Be Mindful of Your Water Filter

Your home’s water filter is the number one way you can combat dirty, and potentially harmful water. As a concern regarding water quality grows, technology has also grown. As a result, we now have more options than a standard water filter that only filters out a jug-full of water.

Many homeowners now opt for whole house water filters. This will not only help reduce the amount of dust, pollen, and calcium deposits, but it will also fight the harmful bacteria; thus improving the water quality.

Regardless of the type of filter you have, it’s important to change them periodically to keep your water quality at a good level. Experts recommend changing your filters every 90 days if you do not have pets, allergies, and you do not smoke. Otherwise, you want to change your filters every 20 to 45 days; so every month would be a good starting point.

Plumbing Service Calls

Keeping your plumbing system maintained is also imperative for your health and the well being of your system. Common health concerns associated with a poorly functioning plumbing system are stomach aches, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, and increased issues with digestive processes.

It is also important to note that your plumbing will eventually come to a point it needs to be replaced. A new system can save on energy costs, costly repairs, and improve your health. If your plumbing system is 10 years or older, and you experience any of the issues we mentioned, it is time to consider an upgrade.

When the time comes for a repiping, you may not know where to turn. Working with a trusted professional is key to ensuring your new system will be installed properly. Daniel Cordova Plumbing, Drain & Sewer is a trusted member of the West Covina CA area. We have technicians standing by today! Call us at (626) 962-0885

 

During the Civil War, soldiers lived and fought in unsanitary conditions. Lack of bathing meant their bodies were dirty, and they suffered from various ailments like army itch and lice. Lack of clean drinking water meant they suffered from diseases like typhoid. Sadly, 45,000 Union soldiers and 50,000 Confederate soldiers died from dysentery.

With every war our country has participated in, our soldiers have had to endure harsh conditions and various sufferings, like sickness or the death of a friend. It’s important to remember the sacrifices that have been made for us to live in a free Country. Our freedoms have been won thanks to the men and women who have sacrificed their comforts or lives to protect us.

Decoration Day: Honoring the Brave

Founded in 1868, Decoration Day was a day when veterans and civilians decorated the graves of fallen Union and Confederate soldiers with flags and flowers.

If you look into the history of Decoration Day, you can see a poster from 1917, which shows soldiers from the American Revolution, War of 1812, Mexican-American War, the Civil War, and the Spanish-American War all marching together with the message “Honor the Brave.”

This poster is a great example of how we should honor all the soldiers from all the wars we’ve fought in because they all made important contributions to their Country.

In 1968, the day became Memorial Day and a federal holiday, which we still celebrate today by honoring the brave men who have fought for our nation since its inception.

Generally speaking, concerts, parades, and other events are held across the United States in honor of fallen soldiers. Here in El Monte, there will be a Memorial Day Ceremony at City Hall at 11 a.m.

Thanks to our Armed Forces

It is due to our armed forces–the men and women serving in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard–that we are a democracy.

Out of the world’s 192 countries, 123 are democratic countries, and we’re fortunate to be one of them.

If a foreign nation were to try to take our Country over again, we can depend upon our Armed Forces to protect us, and we owe them gratitude for protecting us in the past.

Gratitude to Our Clients

Since we live in a free country, we have the privilege of owning a business and serving all of our veteran and civilian customers. We want to tell you all how much we appreciate you and your loyalty.

We are grateful to serve you all and thankful to own a business in this great Country, and we continue to be dedicated to our customers by offering them 100% satisfaction.

This Memorial Day, take time to appreciate the simple freedoms you enjoy in your life every day and remember the veterans who risked or sacrificed their lives so that we could live in this great Country. The cost of freedom has a high price, and we must be grateful for the sacrifices that have been made by soldiers and their families.

 

You’ve probably heard that expression that April showers bring May flowers. If you haven’t, where do you live that you’ve been sheltered from overused cliches? In all seriousness, the rains that usually accompany the spring season can, in fact, cause some really beautiful flowers to grow, making for wonderful gardens.

The downside to this is that sometimes those same rains can collect in your yard, weakening your outdoor plumbing with rust and corrosion. Let’s take a look at some of the negative effects those April showers can have on your plumbing, and how scheduling regular plumbing inspections can help you avoid some of those effects.

Heavy Rains Can Lead to Broken Pipes

Not sure how something as common as rain can cause your pipes to break? Well, to be completely fair, it’s more like the rain causes a change in the soil around the pipes, which causes a change in the pressure inside the pipe, which causes the pipe to rupture.

When the earth around your pipes becomes saturated with water, it becomes softer, causing it to shift. Even the slightest shift in the earth can increase the pressure around the pipe greatly, causing the pipe to collapse.

If this happens below the foundation of your house (sometimes called the slab), you could be stuck dealing with what is known as a slab leak, which can cost you hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars in water bills and damage to your piping system.

Heavy Rains Can Cause Your Sewer System to Back Up

Again, that statement isn’t entirely fair to the rain. What the rain does is collect in your yard, potentially flooding your sewer drain, which can cause your sewer drain pipes to have to hold more water than they are equipped to handle.

When this happens, the contents of your drain pipes need to empty somewhere, but since they can’t empty out through the drain like they usually do, they empty the only other way they can- back into your home. Sewer system backups can lead to health risks like contamination by bacteria like E-Coli.

Heavy Rains Aren’t a Problem if Your Plumbing’s Been Inspected

The best way to avoid plumbing failure related to heavy rainfall this spring is to have your pipes inspected and maintained.

A plumbing inspection can give you an idea of the overall health of your plumbing system so that you can either feel confident in your plumbing’s ability to withstand the rain or resolve any potential issues within your system before they become a major problem.

Yes, April showers can bring May flowers, but they can also bring a lot of strife to your outdoor plumbing. Have you ever experienced issues like a slab leak or backed up sewer pipes due to the heavy spring rains? If you have, we want to hear all about it!

Share your stories in the comments below! To avoid the problems heavy rain can cause to your yard, remember to have your pipes inspected regularly. Call Daniel Cordova Plumbing, Drain & Sewer today at (626) 962-0885 to speak to a plumbing contractor in El Monte, CA about scheduling a plumbing inspection.

 

If you’ve ever wished that there were more hours in the day, then your wish is coming through this month! Daylight Savings Time is back again, which means it’s time to set our clocks forward and enjoy a full extra hour of sunlight. So, as the age-old question goes, what will you do with your extra time?

Will you get some work done around the house like cleaning the floors or washing the car? Will you treat yourself to a long relaxing bubble bath? Or will you take up a new hobby, like gardening? These are all great ideas, but they all drastically increase your water and plumbing system use.

Do You Know The History of Daylight Savings?

Even though the United States didn’t start using Daylight Saving until the late 1960s, countries like Germany and Canada have been implementing it since the first world war, and even before that!

In fact, the idea of Daylight Saving as we understand it today was introduced by a Scientist in New Zealand in 1895. The purpose of turning our clocks forward an hour in the spring is to reduce the use of artificial light in an attempt to reduce the use of the fuel used to power it. This practice has impacted multiple industries, including plumbing.

Here Are Some Ways You Can Save Water Every Day

It makes sense that you would use more water during Daylight Savings because you are awake and active longer. However, using more water can negatively affect your piping systems, as well as drive up your monthly water bill. Here’s how you can save water and money this spring:

• Invest in higher efficiency appliances like washing machines and toilets.
• Turn the water off while you’re brushing your teeth.
• Hand wash dishes, rather than putting them in the dishwasher. Make sure to also turn the tap off while you’re washing.
• Cut back on products that use up a lot of water to produce, like plastic and meat.
• Take shorter showers.

Make a Difference by Going Green

Water conservation is arguably the most important aspect of environmental work because water is arguably the most important part of most ecosystems. Did you know that a human being could survive up to three times as long without food as they could without water?

That’s because we are made of about 60% water ourselves. Aside from the fact that most life on earth depends on water, saving water can also prevent premature pipe failure, because it creates less wear and tear on your pipes, and reduces the amount of limescale that can build up in your pipes.

This planet is all we’ve got, so it’s important that we take good care of it. Consider for a moment your water use on an average day. Are you doing your part to take care of our planet? If not, then today is the perfect time to start. Give Daniel Cordova Plumbing, Drain & Sewer a call today at (626) 962-0885 if you’ve got any more questions about how your plumbing can help you conserve water.