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Clean and reliable running water in the home is a modern convenience that most people couldn’t live without. And while most people in America have access to running water, there are things you can do to guarantee the water in your home is safe for your family to drink, cook with, clean with, and bathe in.

Although this does apply to safety around the pool and water purification, it also extends to things like maintaining your appliances, your cleaning habits and staying on top of possible bacterial contaminants.

Protecting Your Family

One problem with water is that it can harbor dangerous bacteria, provide a breeding ground for pathogens, and cause microbial growth around your house.

One of the most important things you can do to ensure the water in your house is pure and free of bacteria and pathogens is to install a whole-home filter for all the water coming into the house, or a point-of-use filter on the taps you use for drinking and cooking.

Another thing you can do is keep your drains clog-free, and your sinks, drains, and faucets clean, because dirty water around the sink, on the faucets, and in the drains can house dangerous bacteria like E. coli, staph, and salmonella.

Lastly, you can stop bacteria from breeding in your hot water by flushing out your hot water tank annually, as this removes sediment from the bottom of the tank that can allow bacteria to grow.

Staying Safe Around Water

One of the more obvious ways you can work to keep your family safe is by practicing good water safety, and that includes in the pool, in the tub, and around standing water.

Drowning is a huge hazard around pools and baths, but it only takes about an inch of water to pose a danger to infants and small children, which is why it’s so important that kids are taught water safety and supervised around water. Ways you can keep kids safe include:

• Drain tubs and buckets as soon as the bath or cleaning is over
• Keep your full attention on kids in the pool and bath, and avoid all distractions while supervising
• Lock toilet lids
• Keep bathroom and laundry doors closed
• Make sure young and weak swimmers are always within arm’s reach
• Use the buddy system with older children in the pool
• Install fences and gates around the pool so children, adults, and animals can’t accidentally fall in
• Enroll children in swimming lessons as early as possible, and teach them about water safety, dangers, and survival

Keeping Your Home Safe From Unnecessary Wear

Along with keeping your drains, faucets, and water heater clean for the sake of your family’s health, it’s also important to maintain them for the longevity of the fixtures and appliances themselves.

Bacteria, microbes, pollutants, and other contaminants in the water can actually cause corrosion, rust, and damage to drains, pipes, faucets, and your hot water tank. By cleaning these items regularly, you’ll save yourself from having to replace fixtures and appliances before their time.

Nothing is more important than the health of your family, and it’s good to know that keeping your water safe and your home clean can contribute to their safety. For help with any of these steps, more information on flushing your water heater, or tips about the perfect filter for your West Covina, CA home, call 626-962-0885 today to speak with the experts at Daniel Cordova Plumbing, Drain & Sewer.

 

Keeping your drains clean and free of debris is a vital part of homeownership. In addition to preventing annoying clogs and blockages, clean drains promote a healthy plumbing system and efficient plumbing appliances.

With that being said, clogged drains are still among the most common plumbing problems we see as professional plumbers. In addition to hair, grease, food and oil getting stuck in the drains, we also see problems from homeowners using chemical drain cleaners to keep their drains clean. These chemicals are harsh and corrode your pipes, weakening them from the inside and speeding up the wear and tear process.

For quality drain cleaning services, we recommend snaking or hydro jetting. These methods are both safe and effective. Continue reading to find out which service is best for you:

How does Snaking work?

Snaking involves using a cable with an auger-like attachment on the end. The steps for snaking are as follows:

• The cable is fed into the drain by a technician.
• When the technician feels resistance against the cable, it indicates that the clog has been reached.
• After the cable is set in position, the technician will turn a crank on his end of the cable that makes the blades inside the drain rotate.
• The clog gets chewed up. Smaller pieces of the clog are then free to either wash out through the system or get pulled out when the cable is removed.

What are the benefits of Hydro Jetting?

As the name suggests, hydro jetting uses a jet of high-pressure water to quickly clear out years of debris and grease from the drains. This service is fast, effective and safe. Hydro jetting is perfect for stubborn clogs and recurring blockages.

The jets are so powerful, they actually smooth the inner texture of the pipe to help prevent future clogs before they even get a chance to form.

Circumstances in Which You Should Choose Snaking Over Hydro Jetting

In most cases, technicians will recommend snaking as the first defense against clogs because it’s simple, easy and mostly effective. Snaking is ideal for simple clogs that have not yet hardened to the pipe wall. When snaking isn’t enough, we recommend hydro jetting since it’s more intense and actually prevents future clogs from forming.

Are these Services DIY-Able?

Most professionals will strongly discourage trying to hydro jet your drains without the necessary experience and training. Some of the reasons for this include:

The high-pressure water could cause damage if you don’t know what you’re doing.
If you have pipes that are already damaged or weakened from chemical drain cleaners, hydro jetting may make the problem worse. This is why our technicians always inspect the pipes before recommending the service.

Call Daniel Cordova Plumbing, Drain & Sewer today to keep your drains in tip-top shape. Call (626) 962-0885 today for trusted drain cleaning services in Covina, CA.

 

Before Shopping Make a Checklist of Shopping Features

Before shopping write down some features on toys that make them dangerous to children. Make sure to keep an eye out for these features during your shopping trip. Avoid toys with sharp edges and small parts that children can choke on. Strings longer than 12 inches are not dangerous for children under 3 years old. Buy well-made, durable toys that do not break easily. Electrical toys with heating elements and toys that shoot objects are for older children.

A shocking statistic is that children under the age of four accounts for most toy-related choking deaths. When shopping for toys for young children, carefully examine the toys before you purchase them.

Below are more toy buying tips:

• Read all warnings and instructions on box carefully
• Inspect toys for broken or loose parts
• Avoid cap guns or cap rifles
• Avoid toys with too many small parts
• Look for ASTM Label

Look for the ASTM label when you purchase toys in stores or from vendors. It means the toy has been tested for safety and meets national standards for young children. The complete label on the toy should read ASTM F963. It means the toy met all of the recent government safety standards.

Art supplies for kids should have the following label on them for toy safety. It should read ASTM F963. This means it has been tested for toxic material and listed on label.

Buy Age Appropriate Toys

Always look for labels on the toy or box that give the age range the toy is made for. Don’t buy toys that are for a 12 year old child and give it to a 4 year old. Toys are tested and designed for children with age and ability to use the toy in mind. Many toys are made overseas and have been recalled so always examine them before buying.

Another tip is to check on toy recalls at this website before going out shopping at https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/

Supervise Children During Play Time

Explain how the toy is meant to be used to children. In fact, demonstrating how to use the toys when the instructions are complicated is a good idea. Always supervise them when they play with toys that are new. That way you can see for yourself that they are using them properly and playing safely. Always put toys away after playing for safety purposes. Be sure children wear protective gear when playing sports or eye gear when performing experiments.

If you’re also in need of plumbing tips in Whittier, CA call Daniel Cordova Plumbing, Drain & Sewer at (626) 962-0885.

 

Leaky garden hoses are common problems that many homeowners eventually have to deal with, but did you know that instead of replacing your entire hose you can usually perform some simple DIY repairs for a fraction of the cost?

It’s true, and if you’ve never taken the time to learn how you can solve leaky hose issues before then make sure to keep reading to discover how you can save money and resolve your plumbing issues with speedy DIY garden hose repairs:

Locate the Source of the Leak

The first step is to figure out where your leak is located; if you aren’t sure, is to simply turn on the flow of water to your hose while the spray nozzle is attached.

This buildup of pressure inside the hose will cause any leaky areas to become immediately apparent.

If the leak is occurring somewhere along your hose, make sure to mark the area using a permanent marker so that you can easily find it again when the water is shut off.

Is the issue with the hose connector?

If there’s a problem with your hose connector, then the gasket may be the source of your headaches. The first step to follow here is to inspect the gasket to see if it needs to be replaced. If not, then run out and buy a hose barb kit, which will allow you to replace the end of the hose with a brand new one.

Is the issue with your hose?

If a section of your hose is leaking, it can easily be resolved by removing the compromised section of hose with a pair of garden shears. Then, head to your local hardware store and pick up a hose repair kit, and use the included clamps and coupler provided in the kit to reattach the sections of hose.

Resolve Problems with Your Hose Bib

The faucet which protrudes from your home and connects your hose to your water supply, which is also referred to as the “hose bib” can be the source of many homeowners’ distress when it comes to leaks.

Luckily, replacing your hose bib is terribly easy: simply pull the hose bib from the wall and remove the washer using a screwdriver. Then, replace the old washer with a new one and screw the hose bib back into place.

If this doesn’t work, take a look at your packing nut and determine if it looks worn-out or loose. Use a wrench to tighten it and see if the leak persists; if it does, use Teflon tape and wrap it around the stem of the faucet. Then, push the packing nut back over it and attach the hose as you normally would.

Trust in our expertise and dial 626-962-0885 for fast, dependable plumbing solutions in West Covina, CA  from the professionals at Daniel Cordova Plumbing, Drain & Sewer.