Tag: plumbing

4 Things to Consider Before Renovating Your Bathroom

Posted on | by sitemanagerwpmanagerio
Plumber installing a faucet in a bathroom, with a toolbox and tools nearby, emphasizing home maintenance and repair services.

Performing a complete bathroom remodel is a major undertaking. With a national average cost of $12,000 to $27,500 for a 10×10 bathroom, according to Forbes, remodeling your bathroom also requires a substantial investment.

While the investment can definitely pay off by increasing the value of your home and its aesthetic appeal, it’s important to think carefully and plan everything out before diving into the project. By doing so, you can usually help to keep the costs lower and also make certain that you’re fully satisfied with the results and that everything closely matches your original vision. With that in mind, here are some of the most important factors you’ll want to consider when planning your bathroom remodel.

1. Available Space and Accessibility

The first thing to think about is the space you have available and how you can make the best use of it. You want to make sure that everything flows well and that all your fixtures are easily accessible. The last thing you want is for your bathroom to feel too cramped or crowded or to get finished and find that things don’t work quite as well as you planned. Even seemingly small details such as the way the bathroom door and the door to the shower opens can make a major difference in how large or small the space seems and how easy everything is to access.

If your space is limited, you may want to choose a corner shower with a sliding or rolling door. Other options are to just install glass panels for a walk-in shower without a door or to have the door swing into the shower instead of outward. Depending on the location of the bathroom and the layout of your house, you may also be able to expand your bathroom by knocking down a wall and taking some of the space in an adjacent closet or other room.

If you’re a senior and plan on making this your forever home, you’ll also want to give some consideration to making sure the bathroom continues to be accessible as you age. Opting for a slightly taller toilet can be a major help in this regard. You’ll also want to make sure that the entrance to the shower is easy to access and doesn’t have a large lip you need to step over to get in, which usually means installing a walk-in shower. You should also consider the type of flooring you put in the shower and the rest of the bathroom and choose something that is non-slip or at least doesn’t get too slick when wet.

2. Plumbing Locations

When performing a complete bathroom remodel, you often have the option to change the location of all the plumbing fixtures. Switching the location of your shower, bathtub, sink, or toilet can help make your bathroom feel more modern and/or make everything more accessible. Our plumbers can add, move or replace any bathroom plumbing fixture that you may want done during your bathroom remodel.

Replacing the existing water lines and rerouting them to a different location is typically quite easy since they are usually located inside a wall or coming up through the floor. If you want to change the location of your toilet, shower or bathtub, it will make the job a bit more complicated and cost more since you’ll need to also replace the existing drainpipes. The added cost is why most people choose to keep the major fixtures in the same location, but it’s really up to you and what you want.

One thing we’d always recommend is to reroute any pipes that are located within an exterior wall, bringing them up through the floor or running them in an interior wall. The reason for this is that any water lines inside an exterior wall will always be at a greater risk of freezing during periods of extreme cold.

3. Electrical Needs and Lighting

If your home is more than a few decades old, it’s likely that the electrical circuit in your bathroom is only 15 amps. In this case, we’d always recommend completely rewiring the bathroom and upgrading to a 20-amp circuit. If the circuit is only 15 amps, you’ll often have issues overloading the circuit and tripping the breaker when you use devices like a hair dryer. A 20-amp circuit will ensure that you have sufficient power for your hair dryer, electric razor, electric toothbrush, and anything else you may need.

Another reason why we’d recommend rewiring is that you will have to replace all existing outlets with GFCI outlets if you don’t already have them. This is required by the National Electric Code and something you legally have to do when performing a bathroom remodel. You’ll also want to consider the location of any outlets so that everything you need is within reach or tucked out of the way. One great option is to have Hunt’s Services electricians install an outlet inside your bathroom vanity cabinet, so you can charge electric toothbrushes inside the cabinet and not have to leave them sitting out on the counter where they’re exposed to contaminants or taking up needed space.

Choosing the right type of lighting for each part of the bathroom is also important. You generally want to have at least one light directly above your shower as well as additional lighting in the middle of the room, above the toilet and above or next to the vanity and mirror. Making sure that you have adequate lighting near the mirror is especially important for helping you to shave, style your hair, or put on makeup.

You also want to make sure that you choose the right type and size of exhaust fan to both eliminate odors and disperse all the steam that results when you bathe. For a master bathroom, it’s usually best to choose a quieter exhaust fan so you don’t need to worry about the noise waking up your partner at night. If you’re remodeling a hall bathroom, you can get away with something cheaper since noise isn’t a big concern. If the bathroom is near your living room or another common area, opting for a louder fan will help make it more private. Another thing to consider is choosing a fan with either a timer or a humidity sensor so that you can make sure it runs long enough to fully draw out all of the steam and humidity.

4. Desired Features and Amenities

If you have sufficient space, opting for both a Jacuzzi tub and a shower is a great option. You can also consider extra options for your shower such as different types of lighting, both wall-mounted and overhead showerheads and even Bluetooth speakers. Having a heat lamp just outside your shower can also help keep your bathroom warm and comfortable when you wake up and shower in the morning.

If you’re planning your bathroom remodeling project, you can count on the team at Hunt’s Services to help. Our licensed Seattle and Tacoma plumbers can install or change your plumbing fixtures and help you decide which shower or sink will work best. We can also handle any necessary electrical work including rewiring and installing the lighting, outlets, or exhaust fan.

For more information or to schedule any plumbing, electrical, heating, or air conditioning service in the Tacoma area, contact us today. Performing a complete bathroom remodel is a major undertaking. With a national average cost of $12,000 to $27,500 for a 10×10 bathroom, according to Forbes, remodeling your bathroom also requires a substantial investment.

While the investment can definitely pay off by increasing the value of your home and its aesthetic appeal, it’s important to think carefully and plan everything out before diving into the project. By doing so, you can usually help to keep the costs lower and also make certain that you’re fully satisfied with the results and that everything closely matches your original vision. With that in mind, here are some of the most important factors you’ll want to consider when planning your bathroom remodel.

For more information or to schedule any plumbing, electrical, heating, or air conditioning service in the Tacoma area, contact us today.

Ways to Safely Thaw Frozen Pipes in Your Tacoma, WA Home

Posted on | by sitemanagerwpmanagerio
Frozen outdoor faucet with ice crystals, highlighting plumbing issues related to winter in Tacoma, WA.

Of all of the plumbing issues that could afflict homes in Tacoma, WA, frozen pipes are among the most serious. It’s the kind of problem that can seem like a minor inconvenience at first. However, if you don’t handle the problem correctly, it can turn into a major disaster for your home. That’s because frozen pipes are at risk of bursting, which can, in turn, flood your home.

To get an idea of the kind of damage your home might suffer, consider that the average insurance claim following a burst pipe is an eye-popping $7,000, according to the Insurance Information Institute. The good news is that you can avoid a catastrophe like that if you learn how to safely thaw a frozen pipe, and when to call for help. Here’s everything you need to know.

How to Tell if You Have a Frozen Pipe

The first thing you’ll need to know is how to spot the signs of a frozen pipe. You should know that any pipe exposed to temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit for several hours or more is at risk of freezing. It can even happen at higher temperatures if you have any pipes exposed to drafts, too. The most obvious sign that you have a frozen pipe is if one or more of the sinks in your home suddenly suffer weakened or nonexistent water flow. If you’re dealing with a frozen drainpipe, you might notice an odd smell coming from one or more of your home’s drains.

Another way you might spot a frozen pipe is if you notice frost on any exposed pipe sections in your home. If there’s frost on the outside of the pipe, there’s a good chance there’s ice inside it, too. This can happen to pipes running through uninsulated parts of your home, like basements and garages. It can also happen to pipes running through your home’s attic, where the insulation present keeps heat from reaching them.

What to Do First if You Believe You Have a Frozen Pipe

If you believe your home has a frozen pipe, the first thing you’ll need to do is try and localize the problem. For water supply pipes, you can do this by turning on all the faucets in your home. If one or more of them don’t have water flowing to them, this means the problem is somewhere in their supply lines. For multiple sinks, inspect the supply lines before the point where they split off to feed each affected sink. For a single sink, look at its supply line, beginning under the sink and working your way backward.

If it’s a drain that you think is frozen, the same logic applies. If the problem affects multiple drains, the frozen section is likely somewhere in a main drain line. If it’s a single sink, the problem may be right underneath the sink itself.

Once you locate a frozen supply pipe somewhere in your home, you should turn off your home’s water supply immediately. The reason for this is simple. It’s that there’s always a chance that your frozen pipe has already burst. There’s also a chance that there’s more than one pipe section affected, so it’s best not to take any chances by leaving the water on. Then, you should turn on the affected sinks. This will provide a way to relieve the pressure inside the pipes as the ice thaws.

Safely Thawing a Frozen Pipe

Your next task after finding the affected section of pipe is to slowly thaw it out. It’s important to do this in a controlled manner so you don’t end up harming your pipes in the process. The first step is to visually inspect the frozen section of pipe to look for any signs of splits, damage, or deformation. If anything about the pipe looks odd, or if you can’t be certain there’s no damage, your best bet is to immediately call a professional plumber.

If the frozen pipe section looks like it’s intact and undamaged, you can proceed to thaw it out. The simplest way to do it is to soak some towels in hot water, wring them out, and wrap them around the frozen pipe. You will need to replace the towels every 10 to 15 minutes or so, depending on the temperature in your home. Doing this should melt the ice in the pipe over about an hour or two.

For a slightly neater way to thaw your frozen pipe, you can use a small heating pad in place of the wet towels. If you choose this method, keep the heating pad on low and leave it on for as long as it takes to thaw the pipe. This is the best way to avoid doing any inadvertent damage to your pipes in the process.

If you can’t quite reach the frozen section of pipe, you can place a space heater nearby to apply heat indirectly. Or, if you have the patience, you can use a hairdryer to do the same thing. In either case, you should resist the urge to apply extreme heat too close to the pipe. Otherwise, you risk damaging the pipe as the ice thaws.

Checking for Damage

Once you believe that there’s no more ice in your affected pipe, the next step is to partially turn your home’s water supply back on. Once you do that, examine the section of pipe that was frozen and look for signs of leaks or other damage to the pipe. If you don’t see any, check the faucets that previously had little or no water supply to see if they’re running. If everything seems to check out, fully restore your home’s water supply and repeat the inspection. If there are no visible leaks and the water flow to your faucets is back to normal, you’ve likely succeeded in safely thawing your pipes.

It’s important to remember, however, that your home’s plumbing is more delicate than you might imagine. It isn’t designed to deal with ice, and not every type of damage is visible to the untrained eye. For that reason, you should always consider calling Hunt’s Services for help when you have a frozen pipe, especially if you’re not confident in your DIY skills.

Prevent Future Freezes

To prevent frozen pipes, consider having a plumber insulate exposed pipes, especially in areas prone to cold, like basements and attics. Letting a trickle of water run from faucets during extreme cold can prevent freezing. Also, keep your home’s temperature consistent during cold snaps and consider smart home devices to monitor temperatures in critical areas. Regularly inspect your plumbing for any cracks or leaks, as even small vulnerabilities can lead to big problems in freezing temperatures. Remember, prevention is key to avoiding the stress and cost of dealing with frozen pipes.

Contact Tacoma’s Trusted Plumbing Team

Here at Hunt’s Services, we’ve served the residents of Tacoma for over a decade, offering comprehensive plumbing, HVAC, sewer and drain, and electrical services. Our fully licensed and insured team of expert plumbers can help you thaw a frozen pipe without risking additional damage to your home. We can also help you prevent issues in the first place. We’re a Better Business Bureau-accredited business with an A+ rating, so you can be confident you’re working with the best when you call on us. Our countless five-star customer reviews provide an even further testament to that. So, for frozen pipes and all other plumbing services for your Tacoma home, call the experts at Hunt’s Services today.

Protect Your Home from Frozen Pipes with These Strategies

Posted on | by sitemanagerwpmanagerio
Frozen water icicle protruding from a white pipe on a brick wall, illustrating the risk of pipe freezing during winter months.

Making a snowman, drinking hot cocoa, and cuddling up in front of a roaring fire are just a few things we look forward to in the winter months. However, winter also brings with it the icy chill that can cause pipes to freeze. This issue can result in water damage and costly repair bills. This doesn’t have to be the case, though. Find out why pipes freeze and what you can do to prevent this from happening in your home.

Why Pipes Freeze

When the temperatures dip below freezing, having too little insulation or not enough heat in your home can put you at risk for frozen pipes. When water freezes, it expands and can cause the pipe to burst. Burst pipes unleash a flood of water, and the damage can be a costly nightmare.

The good news is that this scenario can often be prevented by ensuring that your home stays warm and that plumbing is protected. Areas of the home that are the most vulnerable to the cold are basements, attics, and crawl spaces. Outdoor faucets, as well as exposed pipes, are also at risk of freezing.

Possible Signs of Freezing

Sometimes you will be fortunate enough to spot clues that a pipe is at risk of bursting or cracking. Watching for signs of potential freezing can help identify problems before they become worse.

Here’s a list of warning signs that you should keep an eye out for:

  • Reduced water flow
  • No water
  • Whistling or gurgling noises
  • Frost on pipes
  • Visible cracks or leaks
  • Fluctuating water temperatures
  • An unexpected increase in water bills

Preventative Measures

Before winter officially hits, you should focus your efforts on creating a protective barrier around your pipes to keep them protected from the cold.

The tips outlined below will help prevent frozen pipes.

Insulate Vulnerable Areas

Crawl spaces, attics, and basements are three areas that are often overlooked when it comes to insulation. Make sure to have a good, thick layer of insulation in these areas to block out the cold air from creeping in. Wrap exposed pipes in insulating covers or with heat tape.

Seal Cracks and Crevices

Hunt down sneaky drafts and seal them up. Tiny cracks can be a major source of drafts. They occur around window and door frames, as well as around window air conditioners and around your foundation. One way to stop this is by sealing cracks and crevices with silicone caulk and weather stripping.

Don’t Forget the Garage

If your garage is attached to your home, ensure it is well-insulated. Consider insulating garage doors and any pipes that exist in the garage.

Set the Thermostat

Before you leave the house, set your thermostat to a temperature that is warm enough to keep away the icy cold air. The U.S. Department of Energy suggests keeping your thermostat at 68 degrees or higher when you’re home and 55 to 60 degrees when you leave. Don’t go too low, as its not worth the risk of developing freezing pipes to save a few dollars on your energy bill.

Open Cabinet Doors

Opening cabinet doors under the sinks in the kitchen and bathroom can promote better air circulation and keep the pipes warm. The heat from nearby living spaces will circulate in and around the pipes to chase away drafts and cold air.

Smart Home Devices

Invest in smart home technology that allows you to monitor and control your home’s temperature remotely. Bluetooth apps can help you stay on top of your home situation.

Ask a Neighbor for Help

If you have a close friend or neighbor that you trust, ask them to check on your home while you’re gone for extended periods of time. Flushing the toilets, running water down the sinks, and running the bathtub faucets for a few minutes now and again will keep things flowing to prevent ice buildup in the pipes.

Winterize Your Outdoor Faucets

Before winter arrives, make sure to turn off the water to your outdoor faucets and disconnect garden hoses. You can also get faucet covers for your outdoor spigots that will retain the heat from the pipes to keep them warm.

Drip Faucets

A dripping faucet is normally not something you want because of water waste, but in this case, it may help keep your pipes from freezing. One drop at a time is all you need to keep the water in the pipes moving. When water is moving, it is less likely to freeze.

What to Do If Your Pipes Freeze

If you missed the opportunity to prepare and woke up to discover your pipes froze during the night, stay calm. There are things you can do to try to correct the situation. First, locate your main water shut-off valve and turn the water off so there isn’t any new water moving into the pipes or creating any kind of water pressure inside of your plumbing system.

Next, try to slowly warm the area where the pipes are frozen. You can use a small portable heater a good distance from the pipes, a heating pad, a hair dryer, or towels warmed in the dryer for a few minutes to gradually thaw the pipes. The goal is to create a slow thaw rather than adding too much heat at one time.

Once the pipes have thawed, you can safely turn the water back on. If you notice any leaks after the water is restored, call a plumber for necessary plumbing inspections and repairs.

It is beneficial to keep extra insulation on hand for quick fixes. If you haven’t wrapped your pipes, before the next freeze is the perfect time to take action.

Wrap Up

Every precaution you take, from wrapping pipes in insulation to disconnecting outdoor faucets, contributes to fortifying your plumbing system. Keeping your home warm and protected from the cold goes a long way toward preventing plumbing emergencies like frozen pipes and water damage from burst pipes.

If you need plumbing repair or would like more tips to keep you comfortable and safe this winter, contact us at Hunt’s Services. If you reside in the Tacoma or Puget Sound areas, we are your go-to for all things plumbing. Our skilled plumbers can thaw frozen pipes, repair leaks, and clean your sewer drains. We would be happy to help you determine what kind of preventive action is necessary to protect your pipes for the upcoming cold weather season.

Besides plumbing, we also offer heating, cooling, and electrical services. If you need a ceiling fan installed or your furnace repaired, give us a call. We have a team of technicians who are ready to solve any heating or cooling problems you may have.

Together, we can turn your home into a cozy haven, ensuring that every part of it is comfortable and functional. Whether it’s a chilly winter night or a scorching summer day, our dedicated team is here to make your living space the ideal retreat. Contact us today to schedule an inspection or a repair.

Why Is My Water Pressure Low?

Posted on | by sitemanagerwpmanagerio
Faucet with drips of water, highlighting potential plumbing issues, relevant to home maintenance and comfort services in Tacoma, WA.

Have you recently turned on your faucet only to discover a trickle of water coming from the spigot? Does your water come out of your fixtures at a fraction of its former rate? If you’re having problems with your water pressure, then the cause of your issues could be one of many different possibilities.

Overly High Water Usage

If your low water pressure occurs when multiple water-using appliances are running or when multiple showers are in use, then its cause may simply be using too much water at once. You can easily fix this problem by spreading out your water usage over the course of the day.

Too Much Water Use on Shared Pipelines

Low water pressure can also be caused by too many people in your neighborhood using water at the same time on shared pipes. If you’re on a pipeline that goes into multiple houses, then you’ll need to try to plan around your neighbors’ water use. You should attempt to find times of the day when the water pressure is highest so you can use the water yourself at those times.

Main Shutoff Valve Is Not Open

A partially closed main shutoff valve can reduce the water pressure in your home. Your main shutoff valve will likely be located inside your home close to where the city water supply pipe comes into your house. Once you find the main shutoff valve, you should turn it counterclockwise until it’s all the way open. Hopefully, this will solve your low water pressure issue.

Water Meter Valve Isn’t Open

If the main shutoff valve isn’t the culprit, then the water meter valve might need to be opened — especially if your water company has recently done work on your premises. Your local water company probably owns this valve, so it may be difficult to access. In fact, you might have to call the water company to have them check the valve for you. Once they open your meter valve all the way, you may notice your water pressure improving.

Sediment Buildup in Fixtures

Shower heads, faucets and toilet-fill valves can all experience sediment buildups that can impede water flow. Sink aerators are fairly easy to remove, and you may be able to take the aerator off the fixture experiencing low water pressure and clean out the grit that’s clogging it. You may also be able to clean your shower head by gently rubbing its nozzles or soaking it in vinegar.

Broken Fixtures

If cleaning out the fixtures doesn’t fix your problem, then your fixtures might be broken altogether. Faucets and shower heads aren’t particularly expensive, so you can easily replace them with modern, fully functional fixtures. If you don’t feel comfortable replacing the fixtures yourself, then you should hire a professional plumber to do the work for you.

Broken Pressure Regulator

As its name implies, the pressure regulator controls the water pressure in your plumbing system. As pressure regulators age, they might cause your water flow to increase or decrease more than is beneficial. If your pressure regulator is no longer capable of keeping your water flowing at the right pressure rate, then you’ll need to have it replaced.

Clogged Pipes

Low pressure can also be caused by blockages in your pipes restricting water flow. Dirt, food fragments, oil and other pollutants can build up over time, reducing the space in your pipes where water flows. If you have a significant buildup of debris in your lines, you’ll likely need to have a plumber take care of this problem for you.

Leaky Pipes

Leaking pipes can reduce your home’s water flow and cause damage to your property. Wet spots, puddles, mold and sagging walls are all signs that you might be dealing with a leak on your premises. Whether your pipes have a single large leak or multiple smaller ones, you’ll need to hire a competent plumber to repair your pipes before you get sufficient water pressure again.

Corroded Pipes

If oxidation and the passage of time have left their marks on the inside of your pipes, then you might be experiencing less water flow than you’d like. Older pipes made of galvanized steel are especially prone to corrosion, but even the sturdiest pipes can corrode over time. In all likelihood, you’ll need a plumber to evaluate and then replace your corroded pipes in order to avoid leaks and even lower water pressure.

Branch Lines Are Too Small

Low water pressure can also be caused by the smaller pipelines that branch off from your main lines not being large enough to support current water demand. This possibility is particularly likely to be the culprit if you’ve recently added water-using appliances to your home. A skilled plumber will be able to evaluate your pipes and give you larger branch lines that are capable of keeping up with your water use.

Problems With Your Water Supplier

Sometimes, low water pressure can be caused by problems from outside of your property. If your entire neighborhood is experiencing water problems, then your local water supplier might be having issues. You should contact your local water supplier and ask them for clarity regarding your community’s low water pressure problems and solutions.

Local Regulations Have Changed

Another potential source of trouble outside of your property that can cause low water pressure is local bureaucracy. If the powers that be in your city have changed water regulations, then you might be stuck with low water pressure. One possible solution is to have a plumber install a water pressure booster system on your premises that will increase your water pressure without damaging your pipes.

Broken Water Main

Water main breaks are especially common in the winter when temperatures get below freezing. Broken water mains usually result in reduced water pressure for entire neighborhoods. Since your local municipality will have to fix the break, you can call them for more information about the repair time frame.

The City Is Flushing Fire Hydrants

You could also be experiencing temporary low water pressure due to your city flushing its fire hydrants. If city workers are cleaning out fire hydrants near your home, then they’re likely releasing hundreds of gallons per minute. Your low water pressure should resolve itself within a few minutes of the fire hydrants being turned off if this is the cause of your water pressure issues.

HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical Services in Tacoma

At Hunt’s Services, we have the tools and the skills to provide high-quality HVAC, plumbing and electrical services to the people of Tacoma, WA. If you’re having problems with low water pressure, you can trust us to get to the bottom of your issue.

You can also count on us to help you with your garbage disposal, sump pump, gas lines and water filtration issues. Our HVAC services include heating and cooling repair, installation and maintenance; whole-home filtration system installation; and duct-cleaning services. We’re also capable of installing electrical panels, lighting and EV charging stations. Contact us today if you need the help of our skilled technicians.

What Is the Best Home Water Filtration System?

Posted on | by sitemanagerwpmanagerio
Person in gloves pouring tap water from a faucet into a glass beaker, highlighting water quality concerns in Tacoma, WA.

Tap water in Tacoma may contain contaminants, such as metals and chemicals. The only way to purify your water is with a water filtration system. Looking into this can be a bit overwhelming because there are so many options. Learning more about the ones that are available can help you narrow down the filtration system that will work best within your home.

Testing Your Home’s Water

The first step is learning more about the impurities that are in your home’s water. You want to have a professional conduct the testing so that you can be sure the results are accurate. They will also explain the results and help guide you toward filtration systems that will work best in your home.

Benefits of a Home Water Filtration System

Having contaminants in your water can alter its taste and even make it harsher on your hair and skin when you shower. There is also the point that it could be unhealthy for your plumbing.

Removing impurities from the water in your home comes with a wealth of benefits:

  • Safer drinking water
  • Better water taste and smell
  • Environmentally-friendly
  • Cost-effective
  • Multiple filtering options
  • Retain more water minerals
  • Improves water-using appliance performance
  • Low maintenance

Types of Home Water Filtration Systems

There are several different types of filters for you to choose from. Learning a bit about each one can make it easier to choose the right one.

Activated Alumina

This filter might be ideal for removing arsenic or fluoride. It has a high level of absorption since the compound is a highly porous ceramic. The materials bond together instead of just being held in the pores. It is able to pull contaminants from the water in your home without them leaking out and getting into the environment.

Activated Carbon and Carbon Block

You probably are aware of this type of filter as they often call it activated charcoal. These are common in water filtration systems and are often present on water filter pitchers or a below-the-sink filtration system. This type of filter can attract and absorb impurities to take them from your water. It also requires no electricity to operate.

Alkaline and Water Ionizers

This type of filter ionizes water to separate acidic and alkaline water. You usually use this along with an additional water filtration system to remove impurities. This filter focuses more on water quality and softening it.

Distillation

If you are looking for a more primitive option to purify smaller amounts of water, this is an option to consider. You might look into this option if you like to collect rainwater and purify it so that you can use it for cooking, drinking and bathing. During the process, the water boils to produce steam. Then, you cool it in a clean container. Once you fully complete the process, you have clean water that tastes better and is free from bacteria.

There are kits that provide you with all of the components that you need to distill the water. Just make sure that you have a source for heat and electricity to take advantage of this process.

Ceramic Filters

Ceramic is a type of material with lots of tiny pores all throughout its surface. Anything bigger than the pores will get stuck in them, removing them from your water. You do not need an electricity source to use this type of filter.

You can use a silver treatment with ceramic filters. This helps to prevent algae and mold from surviving in your water. Silver is also effective in killing bacteria.

Sand and Sediment Mesh

Think of this type of filtration system as similar to the colander that you use to drain your noodles have you boil them. This filter system is best for removing large particles from your water, such as clay, rust, dirt and sand. While they do not remove micro-particles, they are a good choice for keeping your plumbing system free from sediment.

Reverse Osmosis

This type of filter features a semipermeable membrane that the water goes through. Water is able to flow through without a problem, but metals, contaminants, chemicals and parasites are not able to penetrate the filter. Just make sure that you have strong water pressure if you want to use this filter system. The water pressure has to be good to force it through the membrane.

Ultraviolet Light

This type of water filtration system is able to remove a number of water microorganisms, such as viruses, protozoa, bacteria and parasites. With this system, you expose the water to UV light radiation at a high frequency via a glass element. You will need a lot of energy to use this type of system.

In some cases, people opt to use UV lamps as part of a bigger water filtration process. This can help to ensure the removal of both non-organic contaminants and microorganisms from your home’s water.

Choosing the Right Water Filtration System

Once you have water testing, you will know about the type of contaminants that are present in your water. Start your search by narrowing down your options to the systems that work for these specific contaminants. Next, determine if you want a system that relies on electricity or not to purify your water. These two concerns will help you pick a system that best fits your needs.

Water Filtration System Maintenance

Maintaining your system ensures that your water is always clean and ready for use. One or two times per year, you will likely need to replace the filters. This ensures that the water coming out is free from impurities. Certain types of filters require cleaning instead of replacement. A professional can help with this to ensure that you do it correctly and do not unintentionally damage the filter.

About once a year, the filter housings require a cleaning. This will remove any accumulated contaminants. Once fully cleaned, you can also sanitize the housings to make sure that they are free from bacteria and debris.

If you notice any wear and tear on the components of the system, it is important to have a professional repair or replace them promptly. One part that will likely need some attention at some point is the O-ring, so keep an eye on this to see if it is wearing or cracking.

Water Filtration Systems in Tacoma

Water filtration can make your Tacoma home’s tap water cleaner and tastier. The key is to choose the filtration system that works best for your home and family, and we can help you make this decision. Once we finish up with this task, we offer other services to help you keep your home a haven for comfort. Whether you need electrical work or plumbing help or you want to improve your indoor air quality, our expert staff is here to help you with your home goals.

Contact Hunt’s Services today for your water filtration needs.

Should You Have a Whole-House Water Filter Installed?

Posted on | by sitemanagerwpmanagerio | Leave a Commenton Should You Have a Whole-House Water Filter Installed?
Water flowing down a kitchen sink drain, highlighting plumbing functionality and maintenance importance for home systems.

One of the best ways to enhance your Tacoma, WA home is by having a whole-house water filter installed. Whole-house water filtration systems are significantly more effective at improving water quality than simple, countertop water filters. More importantly, these systems purify water at every tap. For homeowners, this means having clean, healthy water for cooking, bathing, consumption, and more. Read on to find out if a whole-house water filter is right for you.

You’re Spending a Veritable Fortune on Water Filters

Low-cost countertop water filters aren’t as affordable as they initially seem. If you have a busy, bustling household, these units probably need refilled all of the time. Rapid refilling quickly depletes the lifespans of these filters, and the costs of increasingly frequent filter changes add up fast.

Although countertop filtration systems are more convenient and better for the environment than stocking up on bottled water, they’re not necessarily cheaper. This is especially true if you use these units to filter water for both drinking and cooking. With most filter replacements costing between $10 and $15, and replacement filters for high-end units costing between $50 and $100, having a whole-house water filter is often the most cost-effective choice over time.

Your Household Often Has Tummy Troubles

One of the biggest drawbacks of countertop water filtration is that the potential for introducing harmful bacteria during filter changes always exists. This is also one of the many open secrets of the countertop water filter industry. If dirty hands or dirty surfaces contaminate a filter during installation, all of the water that flows through it will be contaminated as well.

This is very problematic with the filtered water bottles that are manufactured and sold by the same companies offering countertop units. If people in your household regularly contend with nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting, it’s probably the result of a dirty, contaminated filtration unit. What you’ve been writing off as the stomach flu may lead right back to the very same vessels that “clean” and store your water.

Whole-house water filters are largely hands-free systems. All of the water that you need is distributed at the point of use rather than stored. It’s also moving water rather than water that sits stagnant in a container until someone actually uses it. More importantly, you don’t have to worry about having teenagers, distracted adults, or young children replacing filters after they’ve left the bathroom or handled germ-ridden cellphones. Most whole-house water filters only require filter replacements every three to six months. Some only need changing once annually during their yearly maintenance service.

You’re Concerned About the Chemicals Used in Water Treatment Processes

Whether you’re relying on a filtration unit that’s built into your refrigerator or one that sits on top of your counter, it probably isn’t removing many of the contaminants that are cause for major concern. Municipal water treatment processes are aimed at removing deadly germs. Unfortunately, they introduce many potent, sanitizing agents along the way, including chlorine, chloramine, and chlorine dioxide.

Not only are the effects of chloramine and chlorine exposure cumulative, but they’re also widespread. These chemicals have an impact on your health and the health of everyone else in your household whether people are drinking unfiltered or poorly filtered water, cooking with it, or showering in it.

Municipally treated water supplies also contain generous amounts of fluoride. Although there are strong arguments for using fluoridated water as a public health measure for improving oral health, there are equally strong arguments against it. Research shows that oral consumption of fluoride alters both brain density and bone density. It also calcifies the pineal gland.

For these and other reasons, the practice of fluoridating municipally treated water has been outlawed by numerous countries, including Northern Ireland, France, Germany, Hungary, Sweden, and Norway. There are even many cities throughout the United States that have stopped the practice as well due to both immediate and long-term health concerns. Among these are San Jose, CA, Wichita, KS, Tucson, AZ, and Portland, OR. While the American Dental Association (ADA) is in support of water fluoridation, many dental experts assert that fluoride is only beneficial to the teeth when applied as a topical application rather than consumed.

If you want the best possible benefits from water filtration, it’s important to start with a filter that can eliminate chlorine, chloramine, fluoride, and the many other chemicals that are introduced as part of municipal water treatment. Unfortunately, countertop water filters and in-refrigerator filtration units fall woefully short in this area.

You Want Healthier Skin, Hair, and Lungs

If you have dry, brittle hair, easily irritated skin, or a persistent cough, but lack a medical diagnosis for explaining your symptoms, the water that you’re bathing and showering in could be the cause. The same chemicals that negatively affect your health when consumed also have an impact on your well-being and appearance when you soak in them and breathe them in. Chlorine, chloramine, and chlorine dioxide are all associated with hair breakage, hair fall, skin irritation, and other common issues when exposure is continuous and prolonged.

When you turn on a hot steamy, shower in your home, you aren’t just washing yourself in these chemicals, you’re also inhaling them. These aren’t issues that countertop water filters can prevent. Installing a whole-house water filter could result in fewer skin, scalp, hair, and respiratory troubles.

You Hate the Way Your Water Tastes and Smells

Drinking the oft-recommended eight glasses a day isn’t easy when the very sight and smell of your tap water repulses you. Some people have far more sensitive noses than others. For these individuals, tap water often smells like swimming pool water or water that’s held within toilet tanks. If smell is an indication of what something tastes like, for those with sensitive noses, choking even a single glass of tap water down could be an exercise in self-torture.

A whole-house water filter will treat all of your home’s water. This level of filtration will leave your water smelling better and tasting a lot fresher. Whether you fill a drinking glass at the kitchen sink or take a gulp from the backyard hose, the water that you get will be clean and taste good. If you water your plants from the tap, even your indoor plants will benefit from this important home addition.

After your installation is complete, you’ll also be able to easily source clean, potable water for all of your cooking projects. In fact, you’ll even have more control over how your dishes come out. For the aspiring chef, there’s no understating the impact that chlorine, chloramine, and other water treatment chemicals have on bread dough, soups, cakes, and more.

You’re Ready for a Simple, Set-It-and-Forget-It Solution

Without whole-house water filters, people often find themselves making constant trips to the store. Many families are lugging their own five-gallon jugs into their homes or paying small fortunes for replaceable, under-performing filters. Whole-house water filters are infinitely more convenient, more cost-effective over time, and much easier to maintain and use.

We proudly serve residents throughout Tacoma, WA and the surrounding King County and Pierce County communities. We offer plumbing, drain cleaning, HVAC, and electrical services. We also supply and install whole-house water filters. To find out more or to get started, contact Hunt’s Services now.

Don’t Flush Your Wipes: Lessen The Impact of COVID-19

Posted on | by sitemanagerwpmanagerio

Due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak, toilet paper is in low supply and high demand, forcing Puget Sound residents to turn to personal cleansing wipes.

We’re also seeing citizens use disinfectant wipes and paper towels to clean surfaces in their homes, hoping to stop the spread of this virus.

While all of this is fine, and even encouraged, as we fight a global pandemic, we do have to think of our local sewer systems and the effect these items can have on them.

The issue is that we’re seeing an abnormally large percentage of the population using these products, with many choosing to flush them down their toilets to dispose of them. Wipes and paper towels can quickly clog sewer lines, both personal and municipal, causing severe problems for sewer systems in Western Washington and around the country.

Do your part by throwing your wipes and paper towels in the garbage after use to help prevent even more local problems from arising as a result of the COVID-19 virus.

What’s Causing the Problem?

The reason why we’re seeing blockages in sewer lines is because of how these systems operate.

For the most part, our sewers use gravity and water to remove waste from homes and divert it to the main city sewers. From there, the sewage moves to a treatment plant, where it is cleaned before being released.

When many people flush wipes and paper towels in a short period, it clogs the lines and prevents the system from working as it should.

The reason?

Wipes and paper towels don’t break down as toilet paper does. Toilet paper’s construction allows it to dissolve very quickly, a feature these other products don’t have.

If you’ve ever experienced a clogged toilet due to using too much toilet paper, you know that it leads to wastewater coming back into your fixture, sometimes overflowing. The toilet paper quickly disintegrates, however, allowing you to use a plunger to remove the clog.

The same thing happens in a city sewer line, as they can get a little backed up from time to time, but the toilet paper breaks down quickly, so the issue can be solved.

When dealing with wipes, it takes far longer for them to dissolve. And once thousands of wipes clump together in the sewers, removing the clog takes significant intervention.

Even flushable wipes aren’t safe because they still take longer to decompose than toilet paper.

This sewer issue is happening in Seattle, Tacoma, and throughout Pierce and King counties right now, putting a strain on our sewer systems and pressure on city and state officials, in addition to our plumbers.

Seattle has about 1,421 miles of sewer pipe, while Tacoma has over 700 miles. This is a lot of line to keep clear, and flushing wipes makes the job exponentially more difficult.

Yes, throwing these items in the garbage is an inconvenience, but it’s necessary as we try to keep people safe during this global pandemic.

It Isn’t Just Wipes

In some places, even wipes are in short supply, so we’re seeing people turn to other alternatives.

T-shirts, newspapers, and napkins are also being used instead of toilet paper, all of which put unnecessary pressure on the sewer systems.

In fact, in Redding, California, one neighborhood saw sewage overflow into the streets because of a resident using a shredded t-shirt as toilet paper.

If you don’t have any alternative but to use a t-shirt, do so, but make sure you throw your waste in the garbage. Avoid flushing it down the toilet.

Safety First

We’re clearly living in a challenging time when some supplies are running low, and stress is running high. At the same time, let’s face it, people still need to use the bathroom and will need to wipe.

If you run out of toilet paper and must use an alternative product, make sure you throw it in the garbage when you’re done with it each and every time.

Everyone will have to do their part in the coming months if we have any chance at containing the COVID-19 virus, and by choosing to throw this waste in the garbage, you can protect your family, neighbors, local plumbers, and city workers from possible exposure.

What to Do About Your Clogged Toilet

Now you know not to flush anything but toilet paper, but what’s the protocol if you’ve already flushed some wipes and it’s leading to problems?

Well, the answer is to bring in a plumber, but at this time, you’ll have to be extremely careful about who you trust.

For starters, your plumbing technician should do everything possible to limit your potential exposure to COVID-19, including washing their hands regularly, avoiding shaking hands, using shoe covers and protective gloves, and keeping a safe distance from all residents in the home.

At Hunt’s Services, we’re following all of the advice put forth by the World Health Organization during this pandemic. We’re practicing social distancing and have compiled a list of safety measures for each of our technicians to follow while working on your home.

If you have any questions or are dealing with a plumbing emergency at this time, call Hunt’s Services at 253-533-7500 for assistance.

We’re all in this together, so do your part by not flushing anything but toilet paper and keeping your social distance, so that local service providers and healthcare workers have the resources needed to keep you safe.

7 Spring Cleaning Plumbing Tips For Your Home

Posted on | by sitemanagerwpmanagerio

Happy Spring Cleaning!

The birds are singing, the leaves are appearing on trees, and it’s a time when many people are thinking about spring cleaning. If you’re opening up your windows for some fresh springtime air and cleaning up your home for the spring, don’t forget your plumbing!

Just like other parts of your home, your plumbing needs to be cleaned too! When you clean up your plumbing, you’ll save money and enjoy worry-free, problem-free water for this season and many more to come.

Here are some tips to help you know what to clean when it comes to your home’s plumbing:

Toilet Bowl Cleaning Tips

Clean out the bowl as you normally would, and also clean out the inside of the tank. Avoid using harsh chemicals. It doesn’t hurt to give your toilet a plunge or consider pouring a small bucket of water into the bowl from about waist level to “power flush” your toilet. Remind your family not to put trash in the toilet: never flush paper towels, tissue, diapers, or tampons. These things do not break up correctly and can clog your pipes. Additionally, use the minimum amount of toilet paper required to clean up after you are done.

If your toilet is leaking because of worn-out parts or the need for adjustments to your valves, floats, or gasket, give Hunt’s Services a call to make sure your toilets are in good working order. We will replace the parts and make adjustments so that you aren’t wasting water or end up with water damage to your house.

Bathroom Sink Overflow

Ensure that your sink’s overflow holes are clear. Overflow holes are used in case the sink starts to overfill, which may not seem like a big problem–until it is. Fill your sink to test the overflow holes and clear any overflow holes that are clogged. Drain pipes can also get clogged over time and require a good cleaning or flush to remove the blockage. Check your stopper to see if it is the cause of the blockage by removing and examining it from your sink.

Check below your sink to see if there are any leaks either from the sink or from the drain pipes. If you have a leak that you can’t fix yourself or a clog that won’t go away, give us a call so we can insure that leaks and clogs don’t cause you headaches any longer.

Bathtub Drains

To keep things flowing smoothly through the drain of your bathtub, each month you should feed it baking soda—one cup’s worth, with a cup of vinegar to chase it. Plug up the drain and allow the chemical reaction to occur. Wait for a little while, and then pour boiling water down the drain. This method clears out soap scum buildup and accumulated hair that gets caught in the pipes. Avoid slow bathtub drains by using a drain straining device to collect hair that would normally clog the pipes. This inexpensive device, when cleaned regularly, will prevent a lot of problems.

Perhaps even more so than a bathroom sink, your bathtub can get clogged with hair. As a part of your plumbing Spring Cleaning, remove the stopper from your tub. Most stoppers are removed by unscrewing the stopper from the drain hole. Get a piece of stiff wire, make a hook at the end, and fish out the gunk and hair that are usually just below the drain.

Kitchen Sink Clogs

Your kitchen sink drain takes in a lot of debris, including grease and fat, which can clog the drain and slow drainage. Pour boiling water down your kitchen sink drain to proactively clear the build-up. Consider using a drain straining device here too.

Garbage Disposal

Don’t use your hands to clean your garbage disposal. You can actually use lemon rinds or dish soap to do it! Lemon juice can help loosen and clean any build-up in your disposal and drain. Squeeze some fresh lemon juice in your disposal and let it sit for a while to do its work. Afterward, place small chunks of lemon with the rind and run your garbage disposal which helps clean the blades. And when you use your garbage disposal, avoid pouring grease or fat into it because that can clog up the machine and your pipes, especially when the grease or fat cools off.

Dishwasher

Your dishwasher works hard to remove the debris from your dishes and utensils to keep them clean and sanitary. Consequently, the leftover food particles can build up and clog your dishwasher drain. It is a good idea to remove the cover from your drain at the bottom of your dishwasher and check for and remove any debris that is stuck in your drain.

Also check your dishwasher for leaks. Leaks can occur in any of your water and drain connections in your dishwasher. If you have an air gap that empties into your kitchen drain or sink, take the cap off and clean any debris that has accumulated from your dishwasher.

Water Heater

Take a look at your water heater. Is it producing enough hot water for you? Are there leaks or visible cracks? Be proactive; don’t wait for your water heater to break before you do something about it.

When was the last time you had your water heater flushed? We generally recommend flushing your water heater so it is free of debris and sediment at least once a year. Springtime is a good time to get your water heater ready for the upcoming year. Flushing your water heater will increase the life span of your water heater and reduce your energy bills.

Summary

Spring is here and for many people that means it’s time to do a big spring cleaning. When you do, don’t forget your pipes because they are crucial to helping you keep your family comfortable and clean and quenched all year long!

4 of the Most Common Plumbing Myths

Posted on | by sitemanagerwpmanagerio

Myths are a common thing in life, as we hear things daily that are treated as common knowledge but aren’t necessarily true. This applies to household plumbing, as there are probably a number of things that your friends or family have told you that are doing you more harm than good. These are some of the most common plumbing myths that we hear while plumbing in King and Pierce Counties.

1) Drainage Problems Are Easy to Spot

While some drain problems are easy to notice, such as your sink not draining or your toilet not flushing, others are a little more difficult. Every time a food particle goes down your drain, there is a chance that it will get stopped somewhere along the way. It is very likely that your sewer line has vulnerable areas where particles and grease will stop, slowly forming a clog.

These areas won’t cause a backup immediately, but will slowly grow over time. Eventually, this leads to a clogged drain that will force you to call an emergency plumber in Pierce County. You can prevent this, however, by scheduling regular maintenance on your drainage system. This maintenance schedule ensures that clogs are removed before they have a chance to leak back into your house.

2) Sewer Line Replacements Require a Trench to be Dug in the Yard

When you find out that you have a leak in your sewer line, you probably envision your yard being full of sewage and your Pierce County plumber having to excavate your property to fix the problem. While this is certainly possible, the more plausible scenario is that we will come in and complete a trenchless sewer replacement.

In many cases, we can simply install a new liner inside of your existing pipe or use a process called pipe bursting to instantaneously replace the existing line. All of this is done without digging up your yard, saving you a headache once the job has been completed.

3) Low Water Pressure is No Big Deal

Many households suffer from water pressure problems and have no idea why this is happening. For the most part, homeowners learn to deal with their low water pressure, not knowing that the problem can easily be fixed. If you have low water pressure in your home, it could be a sign that a major problem is present. In some cases, it is something simple, like your valves, aren’t opening all the way or your shower head is old and full of mineral deposits. In other situations, however, you could have a water leak somewhere on your property.

If your water pressure has suddenly dropped, you might want to give us a call to have a look at your pipes. Having one of our technicians come by to troubleshoot could save you a great deal of money should you have a broken pipe.

4) Clogs Don’t Require an Experienced Plumber

Crafty marketing has made many consumers believe that putting chemical drain cleaners into the pipes is all that is needed to remove a blockage. The truth is that these chemical cleaners corrode the pipes, leading to much larger problems in the future. If you have a small clog, try removing it with a solution of vinegar, baking soda, and boiling water. If you have a larger clog, your best bet is to call a certified plumber to have it removed the right way.

Of course, not all plumbers in King and Pierce Counties are the same. At Hunt’s Services, all of our technicians have years of experience in this industry and have access to the newest technologies on the market. This allows us to deal with your plumbing problem quickly and efficiently, while protecting your pipes in the process. Give us a call at 253-533-7500 to book an appointment today.