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Categories Superior Plumbing & Drain

Garbage Disposal Lifespan

Garbage Disposal Lifespan

The garbage disposal lifespan might not be what think. As a small but powerful piece of your home plumbing system, the garbage disposal is popular. It shreds food and waste that goes down your drain to make it small enough to pass through the pipes without causing clogs. In addition, they help prevent expensive and messy plumbing repairs.

How Long Does a Garbage Disposal Last?

Depending on the brand, installation, and use, the lifespan of a garbage disposal varies. Usually, they last between five and seven years with usual wear and tear. When used properly, we’ve seen some garbage disposals last up to 20 years! However, when neglected or overused, your garbage disposal may need to be replaced much earlier.

Professional Maintenance

To prolong the life of your garbage disposal the most important thing you can do is conduct regular preventative maintenance. The best way to ensure that your disposal is working well and has a long life is to have a professional inspect it yearly. It’s also important to have a professional plumber inspect related pipes and drains every 3 or 4 years. They check for clogs or minor problems that, if gone unchecked, could turn into expensive repairs.

Homeowner Maintenance

Refer to the owner’s manual to learn how to properly clean and care for your system. If you choose not to consult a professional plumber, you can at least try to keep the pipes clear of major debris that would cause an expensive plumbing issue down the line.

Signs You May Need A New Garbage Disposal

When a garbage disposal isn’t working properly, you should check the reset button. If depressing the button doesn’t work, call a licensed plumber right away.

If the garbage disposal doesn’t run, makes a grinding louder than usual sound or leaks below the sink, a professional evaluation will confirm the need.

If you notice any of these signs that your garbage disposal is not working properly, call Superior Plumbing & Drain today.

Categories Superior Plumbing & Drain

Las Vegas Water Conservation

Las Vegas Water Conservation

Las Vegas water conservation is a hot topic. With the federal government declaring a water shortage on the Colorado River and the recent drought, conservation is more important than ever.

According to the Las Vegas Valley Water District, the following reductions are in place: “As part of an agreement with the federal government and the other Colorado River Basin states, Southern Nevada’s Colorado River water supplies were reduced by 3 percent beginning in 2020 due to low water levels in Lake Mead.

Under the Lower Basin Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan, Nevada, Arizona, California and Mexico reduced the amount of water diverted from the Colorado River to reduce risks from ongoing drought.

The amount of water available to Nevada will be further reduced by another nearly 7 billion gallons (21,000 acre-feet) in 2022 in accordance with the federal government’s August 2021 declaration of a shortage along the Colorado River.”

As Southern Nevada residence, we all must do our part to conserve water. Here’s what we can do:

  • Follow the mandatory watering schedule and set your watering clock accordingly
  • Replace decorative grass with ecofriendly landscaping
  • Fix sprinklers and other water fixtures to stop leaks
  • Report anyone that is wasting water
  • While washing a car at home is allowed, using a car wash is better where the water gets captured and recycled

These measures help the Las Vegas valley conserve water and allows the community to grow.

Superior Plumbing & Drain

For water checks on your system, call Superior Plumbing & Drain today at (702) 478-9643. Our trained technicians use the latest equipment to detect water leaks and fix the problem. Open 24/7, our team is always on call. Licensed, bonded and insured, we do all work right the first time. Click here to make an appointment for your residential plumbing needs.

Categories Superior Plumbing & Drain

Residential Plumbing Care

Residential Plumbing Care

Residential plumbing care in Las Vegas has challenges more than in any other market. It has been reported that Las Vegas has the second hardest water in country next to Indianapolis, Indiana. Regardless of where we rank, residents understand the hard water challenges.

Showers and Sinks

Residential plumbing care in Las Vegas starts with the most used fixtures in the house, showers and sinks. Because we use them more than any other, the build-up shows faster in these areas. Always address a collection of minerals around the spout.

Remedies include lime or mineral dissolving cleaners. Find non abrasive cleaners to ensure fixtures don’t get scratched or harmed in the cleaning process. The expense to change a fixture far outweighs the cost to manage build up.

A good, non-abrasive remedy is vinegar. Fill a large plastic cup with vinegar and submerge the spout into the vinegar. Let this sit for a few minutes to see the vinegar work. Of course, consult the manufacturers recommendations that vinegar is acceptable. 

Water Heaters in Las Vegas

In our water heaters, the build up is invisible. Signs of wear in our water heater show at the bottom where the sediment falls to create small cracks. These cracks lead to a leaking unit and the ultimate failure resulting in water damage. A regular plumbing check helps prevent water heater failure.

It’s also important to note the date of installation for a water heater in addition to the warranty. Keep this information handy as the unit ages. As the unit nears the life expectancy, consult your plumber about maintenance, including a replacement.

Replacing the anode rod prolongs the life of the unit because the rod attracts the minerals protecting the unit. This rod is a disposable item, meaning it has a life expectancy of its own. Conduct a regular check of the rod during annual plumbing inspections.

Categories Superior Plumbing & Drain

Cleaning A Shower Head

Cleaning A Shower Head

Cleaning a shower head doesn’t take much time if you have the proper items. If you are seeing your shower head getting discolored or having water flow issues, it’s be time for a good cleaning. Using harsh chemicals damages fixtures and harmful to humans and pets. When deciding on a substitute, think about vinegar.

As an effective cleaner, vinegar is safe for you and your family. When used properly it’s a powerful tool in your cleaning arsenal. An additional benefit, vinegar is very inexpensive when compared to those harsh household cleaners. You can buy vinegar by the gallon at the local store for a fraction of the price of chemical cleaners.

NOTE: The type of finish on your shower head and connections will determine if vinegar can be used. Please know the materials before using vinegar to clean. Test a small, inconspicuous area with a cotton swab and let sit for 30 minutes before using on larger areas. You can find out more info on vinegar cleaning products here: Vinegar Cleaning Products

Cleaning a Shower Head

After confirming your shower fixtures and shower head can withstand the vinegar cleaning, it’s time to get started. Here are a few things you may want to use:

  • Distilled white vinegar
  • Bucket or solid base container
  • Cleaning rags
  • Old toothbrush
  • Paperclip
  • Pliers or wrench

When removing the shower head, place a protective cover, like a rag, over the connected showers surface. Then use the wrench to turn the fixture and remove the shower head.

Once removed, place the shower head into the bucket to catch any debris that falls off during the process. Use the vinegar and the toothbrush to remove mineral deposits. Rinse the fixture under running water until clean.

When clean, replace the shower head and test to ensure the connection is tight and there are no water leaks. Pro Tip: use plumber’s tape when replacing the fixture to get a tight connection.

When undertaking any DIY project, conduct proper research prior to starting. If you have any questions, call Superior Plumbing & Drain at (702) 478-9643.

Categories Superior Plumbing & Drain

Las Vegas Water Heaters

Las Vegas Water Heaters

Las Vegas water heaters must be monitored regularly due to the minerals causing hard water. The hard water causes a build up on the water heater and plumbing systems usually causing a failure. When a plumbing failure is detected, it’s usually after water has been leaking. This article walks you through how a water heater works and what to look for before it fails.

Las Vegas Water Heaters

The main job of the water heater is to warm up water for use on dishes, in the bathtub and in the sink or shower. The water we use travels through a series of pipes before entering the home. Once it reaches our walls, water is diverted to the water heater for proper warming before use. The water heater, usually located in a close or the garage, is the large cylinder with pipes coming from the wall.

The water heater has many components including the tank, shut-off valve, thermostat, drain valve and anode rod. While every component is important, these are the main areas to focus your attention.

Most water heaters fail when the inside of the tank rusts and the tank leaks. For this type of failure, the entire heater must be replaced. This is the most expensive because the pipes and the heater itself should also be replaced.

Regular maintenance of the water heater helps prolong the life of the unit. Draining the unit once per year is a great first step. This is easy to do as long as the drain has a hose bib connection. Consult the manual for more details.

A second maintenance tip is a check of the anode rod. This rod is suspended at the top of the unit and into the water tank. The rod attracts minerals in the water to help remove minerals and keep the tank from rusting.

For maintenance on your water heater, call Superior Plumbing & Drain today at (702) 478-9643.