Plumbing Tips

Your water delivery and drainage systems are constantly relied upon to keep your Grand Junction home fully functional. Drinking, bathing, washing dishes, doing laundry, washing your hands, washing the floor, and sending waste water out of the house as sewage all depends on your plumbing working correctly.

Most of the time, few even think about their pipes, connections, and fixtures, but when plumbing problems suddenly arise, it is almost always urgent.

The specialized knowledge necessary to fix malfunctioning pipes often merits calling in the professionals, and most people who call the plumber meet him with at least a question or two about the cause of their problem or how to prevent it in the future. Ten of the most common questions plumbers hear from their customers, along with a corresponding answer, are listed below:

1. What Causes Drains to Clog?

The answer to this can vary. In the kitchen, it is often a matter of major food particles getting stuck in the drain. In the bathroom, it is frequently a slower buildup of oily residues from soaps and shampoos, mixed in with hair.

If your drain is severely clogged, it is a good idea to call in a plumber who can thoroughly remove the obstruction. To prevent future clogs, you simply need to be careful what you let go down your drains.

2. Why Do Faucets Drip?

A dripping faucet is often caused by a simple washer wearing out, which can be slowed down by closing the faucet gently instead of hard. Other times, the internal mechanisms have broken down or rusted and may need to be repaired or replaced.

A dripping faucet is both a nuisance and, in the long run, a major waste of water. While it is tempting to neglect their repair, it is wiser to attend to it promptly.

3. Why Do Pipes Leak?

Some of the most common reasons for pipes to leak include

• The house’s foundation shifts
• Frequent or severe temperature changes
• Uneven water pressure
• Clogs obstructing the water pathDeteriorating fixtures at the joints

If you see rust or lime deposits on your pipes, it is likely a leak is developing. It may be best to have your pipes inspected to prevent a minor problem from growing into a major one. Water damage from leaky pipes can be quite costly.

4. Should I Be Concerned About a Running Toilet?

The simple answer is “yes.” A running toilet will waste a lot of water, costing up to a hundred dollars a year. A toilet runs because some working part has broken or been moved out of position. It could even be that the whole flush mechanism needs to be replaced.

5. What Should I Do About a Jammed Garbage Disposal?

If your Grand Junction home garbage disposal is stubbornly jammed, you should call in the professional to inspect and fix it. It is very easy to damage the motor or to hurt yourself when trying to tackle this project as an amateur. In most cases, the jam can be eliminated quickly with the right tools and expertise, but there are times when internal damage requires parts or the whole unit to be replaced.

6. Why Does My Faucet Bang When I Turn It Off?

Usually, hearing a banging noise every time you shut off the faucet indicates a bad washer is allowing too much pressure to jolt the pipes. Sometimes, this can be easily fixed. Other times, it may take an expert to make the necessary adjustments.

7. What Causes Sump Pumps to Fail?

The most common cause of sump pump failure is the switch breaking down or getting stuck out of position. It may be that the float that moves the switch has gotten jammed on its side and will not rise. It could also be that debris has gotten inside the basin and stopped the switch from moving freely. Finally, sump pumps do not last forever. It may just be an old, worn unit that needs to be replaced.

8. What Can I Do About a Low-Pressure Problem?

You will need to contact a plumber to solve a low water pressure problem. If your neighbors have normal water pressure, you have a local problem. The cause may be any of the following:

• Your water shut-off valve may be closed.
• A water line may have gotten pinched.
• Old, galvanized pipes may have heavy deposits in them.

9. Does It Matter If I Have Hard Water or Soft Water?

In fact, hard water can cause a multitude of problems, which is why many opt to have a plumber come install a water softener. Some of the most common hard water issues include:

• Clothing permanently damaged in the wash
• Faucets and fixtures prematurely wearing out
• Water impurities building up as “scales” inside of pipes
• Water with an unpleasant smell and taste

10. Why Does My Dishwasher Not Drain Fully?

It is normal for a small quantity of water to remain at the bottom of your dishwasher after use. This prevents the heating element from overheating. However, if too much is left over or the water will not drain at all, you have a real problem.

It could be the motor is failing, a clog is in the drain line, or a wiring problem. Dishwasher are very difficult to work on, so it is best to get the help of a specialist.

There are many questions that you may have for your plumber, and we cannot hope to have listed them all here. However, these 10 are among the most common and may be helpful to many. If you have further questions or need help with your Grand Junction home plumbing, do not hesitate to contact a local professional plumber.

For a top-tier plumber in the Grand Junction, CO area, call Peterson Plumbing at (970) 399-7063 today. We will waste no time in attending to your call and addressing your needs.

It’s the time of year when everyone is excited about new beginnings and fresh starts. It’s a time for setting goals and reaching out to be your best. If you’re looking for some personal growth in 2016, then here are a couple of easy ideas that could lead you just where you want to be.

Don’t let yourself “hang out” in a negative place.   Now, I’m not talking about literally hanging out in negative places, although that wouldn’t be good either. But, I’m talking about not letting yourself dwell on the negative thoughts inside your mind.

Let’s face it, life happens and sometimes there is really hard, terrible stuff we have to deal with. But think about this: two people can go through the same bad experience and one can come out stronger and the other can be broken. How is that possible?

Usually, the difference between a person who recovers with resilience and one who folds and never recovers, is the way negative experience are processed in their own minds. Of course, there are life-altering events that can happen to a person that shakes them to their very core, and sometimes they need professional help and support to recover. But, for most of life’s ups and downs, a real change between the ears can do wonders for your personal growth.

One way to avoid staying in a negative place is to simply not allow yourself to do it. Accept what happened and then replace these feelings and thoughts with “bright spots,” the things in your life you are truly grateful for. Experts seem to agree that people who make a daily practice of gratitude are inherently happier.

Another proven way to expand your personal growth is to give to others. Giving makes you happier and will make you feel good. There are many ways you can incorporate giving into your life. Whether it’s helping an elderly neighbor clear their driveway of snow, taking cookies to a friend, cheering up a depressed friend with a text message or card, contributing to a family in need, giving to a favorite charity, or volunteering to help in an assisted living home or hospital. Giving, in any way, will help you to grow and be happier.

Who doesn’t want to have beautiful, glowing skin? No matter what your age, you can have a healthy glow and look awesome.

Here are a few easy steps you can add to your daily routine to boost the glow factor for your skin.

#1: Dry skin brush. Have you heard of this daily ritual? It’s easy and cheap, and many people swear by it. You need a natural bristle body brush, and you can usually pick one up at the health food store for less than ten bucks. Then, before you shower each day, use the brush in sweeping motions starting at your toes and working your way up your body. Sweep towards your heart and then go ahead with your shower. Many people claim this dry brushing will stimulate your lymph system and exfoliate dead skin, giving your body a fresh glow. Check out www.MindBodyGreen.com under “dry skin brushing” for a nice article on this technique.

#2: Take collagen. Last month we talked about healing bone broth. Well, many experts claim the collagen in bone broth can help your skin be healthier and firmer. Lots of companies make tasteless collagen powders that mix easily with water and other liquids. Find one that works for you and try adding it into your daily routine. (For some interesting reading on this subject go to www.DrAxe.com and search “collagen.”)

#3: Drink your greens. Unless you’ve been living under a rock somewhere, you’ve heard all about the benefits of drinking green juices and smoothies. One of the many side effects of drinking the green stuff happens to be giving your skin a nice, healthy glow. (Kris Carr of www.KrisCarr.com is a wonderful resource if you want to get started pursuing your glow this way.)

*Disclaimer: These are just suggestions, I’m not a doctor or health specialist of any kind, so please clear anything your do with your doctor.

It’s a New Year and that means it’s the perfect benchmark for trying new things, setting goals, and making resolutions. Many people are interested in improving their health both physically and fiscally, so here are a couple of easy ideas for 2016:

#1: Move More. Everyone hears about how we need to stay active and move more. Experts are even starting to claim, “sitting is the new smoking.” Obviously, we are living at a time when it’s really easy to be sedentary, and unlike our ancestors, moving and being physically active takes a bit of conscious effort. So, why not just set an easy 30-minute goal for yourself this year? Thirty minutes of activity a day could be a walk, a run, dancing with your kids, doing a YouTube video class, or a trip to the gym. Find a way to break a sweat for 30 minutes a day and it could be transformational.*

#2: Save More. This is easier than it sounds, especially if you can do it in a way that is painless. Take 5% of your paycheck and set it in an untouchable account. Make a game of saving money with the whole family. Set a budget and try to pay in cash, take the money you save and put it aside. You just might surprise yourself at how much extra you can squirrel away when you put your mind to it.

#3: Eat Less. Okay, losing weight isn’t rocket science; it’s just science. Experts say if you eat fewer calories than you burn, you’ll lose weight.   So why is it so darn hard? Sometimes the biggest battle is just between our ears. If you really decide to just commit and then cut down on your portion sizes, you might be pleasantly surprised by your results. Weight loss doesn’t have to be all or nothing; it’s a journey, not an event. Find ways to make the food you love more diet friendly, or try to fall in love with simple foods that are naturally slimming. Savor your meals, eat smaller portions, and you might just find that you’re losing weight without having to try so hard.*

#4: Spend less. You don’t have to give up your daily trip to your favorite coffee shop, but what if you just cut back a little on the expensive coffees? Or, maybe it would make sense to invest in a cappuccino machine and see if it can pay for itself with homemade gourmet coffee. Make a deal with yourself to only shop the sale racks at your favorite stores, and look for social media coupons and local discounts to fund your recreation. Again, it doesn’t have to be “painful,” because it’s these little changes that can have big effects.

*These are just suggestions, please check with your doctor before embarking on any exercise or weight loss plans.

With the advent of the Smartphone our lives have gotten easier, we can talk, connect, research, pay bills, get entertained, make a dinner reservation, and conduct business all from the palm of our hands.  But, this uber convenience does not come without a price.

Several studies have found that people check their phones from 150-221 times per day.  That is major time suckage that didn’t exist a decade ago.  We know dozens of reasons to pick up our phone but here are 2 great reasons to put it down once in a while.

#1.  Be present.  When you’re with other people, at least some of the time, make it your goal to be present and resist the urge to check statuses, texts, emails, and calls.

#2.  Free yourself.  You don’t have to do any of it.  You can choose to free yourself from checking everyone’s FB and IG posts.  You can choose to live under the radar and not tell the world every move you make.  It can be a freedom you haven’t felt since Facebook took over the world.

Hey I love my phone, too!  But it can’t hurt to take an occasional break.

October isn’t just Breast Cancer Awareness month, among many other causes, it is a month to raise awareness about shelter dogs.  That’s right, it’s National Adopt A Shelter Dog Month!  This is a cause that can bring joy to both families and dogs.  Here are 7 reasons why adopting a shelter dog is awesome…so help spread the word!

#1:  You could be saving a life.  According to www.aspca.org  approximately 1.2 million dogs are euthanized each year.  That’s a staggering number of dogs being destroyed.

#2:  You won’t be supporting puppy mills.  There is cruelty in mass breeding facilities.  Often, the animals spend their lives in a cage producing litter after litter and are destroyed when they are no longer a profit center.  Conditions are often dirty and crowded and the breeding dogs aren’t getting the companionship from a loving family they crave.

#3:  You get a dog who is already potty trained.  Everyone knows what a pain it is to deal with potty training a puppy no matter how cute they are.  When you adopt an adult dog from a shelter they usually have worked out the whole potty training thing and you get to skip that part.

#4 : You get a healthy animal.  Most shelters examine a dog upon arrival and make sure they are healthy and vaccinated.  Many also spay or neuter animals when necessary.

#5:  You know exactly what you are getting.  Most shelters have observed enough about their dogs in residence to tell you the temperament of the animal and how they will do with children.

#6:  You save money.  Adoption fees are usually nominal and a whole lot cheaper than buying from an exclusive breeder.

#7:  You set a great example to others.  When you adopt a dog from a shelter you are encouraging others to do the same.  Especially when they see what a cute and awesome dog you got!

According to www.nationalbreastcancer.org the purpose of Breast Cancer Awareness Month is to raise awareness to remind people to take steps to ensure early detection.  It’s a worthy cause and here are 3 ways anyone can support it…

#1.  Early Detection Plan.  Whatever your position on health care is, be it alternative, traditional, allopathic, or integrated, your best chances always lie in early detection.  Step one of an early detection plan is to make sure you schedule regular physical exams.  Your doctor or health care provider can help you determine the best schedule for you.  Also, hanging a reminder card in your shower that promotes self-examinations can be another part of an early detection plan.  Go to www.earlydetectionplan.org for more information and to find out how you can get an early detection App that creates a plan for you.

#2.  Help Out A Cancer Warrior.  If you or a loved one have fought the battle of breast cancer, then you know more than anyone how financially crippling the expenses can be.  Here is a chance to help a breast cancer warrior or to help someone pay for preventative care.  And holding a fundraiser these days can mean anything from a bake sale, to a concert, to an online funding campaign.  With websites like www.gofundme.com and www.giveforward.com you can hold virtual fundraisers that can be supported by people from around the globe.  It doesn’t matter if you are raising funds online or offline; social media is a wonderful platform for spreading the word.  Whether you are helping one person, supporting a family, or if you are choosing to raise money for the general cause, be sure to spread the word through social media with stories, pictures and hashtags. For tips on how to promote your fundraiser you can find tons of information online, for starters www.nonprofithub.org has some great resources.

#3.  Be A Friend To A Cancer Warrior.  Probably the easiest and most profound way you can show your support in October is to be a friend to someone suffering from breast cancer.  It doesn’t take much to show your support to someone with a life changing illness.  You can send a card, make a meal, or sit and have a cup of coffee with them.  Even sending a thoughtful text message to cheer up their day can sometimes pull a suffering person out of a moment of despair.

According to www.cancer.org, the American Cancer Society estimates that in 2015 there will be 231,840 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed.  That’s too many grandmothers, mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends!  Spread the word of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

A recipe from Robin Stevens
Cinnamon Baked Apples
Makes 6 Servings

• 1 tsp. butter
• 2 tbsp. brown sugar
• 3 tsp. vanilla sugar
• 3 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 6 large apples – peeled, cored, and sliced
• 3 ½ tbsp. water

Step 1 – Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a large baking dish with the butter.
Step 2 – Mix brown sugar, vanilla sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small bowl. Layer about 1/3 of the apples in prepared baking dish; sprinkle with 1/3 of the sugar mixture. Repeat layers twice more.
Step 3 – Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Pour water over apples and continue baking until tender, about 15 minutes more.
Enjoy these over yogurt over ice cream!

Fall is arriving and the leaves will soon be changing from lush greens to gorgeous golds and reds. People are swapping their flip-flops for boots, and exchanging their tank tops for cozy sweaters. Speaking of being cozy… As the days grow cooler we tend to spend more time indoors. Here are some simple ways you can instantly make your home feel warm and cozy during the fall season.

#1. Create a simmer pot. Here’s an easy way to fill your home with warm, fragrant, relaxing scents. To create a simmer pot you simply simmer fresh herbs and ingredients like cinnamon, cloves, anise, vanilla, cranberries, and apples. Cover your ingredients of choice with water and simmer them on your stove on low for as long as you wish. Be sure you don’t leave it unattended or it could be a fire hazard! Set a timer to remind you to turn off the pot.

#2. Fresh wreaths and garlands. It doesn’t have to be a holiday to decorate your home with the beautiful bounties of fall. Spend a Sunday afternoon creating some gorgeous evergreen wreaths and garlands; add splashes of color with cranberries and oranges, even fragrant cinnamon sticks and cloves. Pinterest.com is a great resource for ideas and templates on how to do this.

#3. Swap out your living room pillows and throws. What else says cozy like an inviting sofa scattered with pillows and blankets? There are so many great fall-themed pillows and throws available at home furnishings stores, or you can support small commerce and get something truly unique and handmade from www.Etsy.com

#4. Fill your living space with the warm glow of candles. I’m not talking about scented candles, although if you prefer them, no judgment from me, it’s just many people are sensitive to them. But did you know beeswax candles are non-toxic and actually clean your air? That’s right, they give off negatively charged ions that actually help reduce the indoor air pollution in your home. Plus, they make your home feel cozy and warm. Just be sure you don’t leave them burning unattended or they can be a fire hazard!

When you think plumbing, technology probably doesn’t come to mind. However, the reality is technology is at the center of the industry. Technology is constantly changing allowing us to provide you with better products that can also save you money in the end.

Many of the technological advances are “green based”. They’re not only good for your wallet, but they’re also good for the environment. For example, there are now dishwashers that recycle rinse water for the wash water. They’ve been predicted to save the average family roughly 700 gallons of water per year.

Lastly, have you heard about sprinkler systems that automatically shut off based on the weather report? There’s no reason to water your lawn on a rainy day. Let Mother Nature save you a few bucks!