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Categories Superior Plumbing & Drain

Replacing a Toilet

Replacing a Toilet

Replacing a toilet may seem like a daunting task. However, it can be done with a few basic tools and some careful attention to detail. Here are the general steps involved in changing a toilet:

  1. Gather the necessary tools: You will need a wrench, a screwdriver, a putty knife, and a new toilet.
  2. Turn off the water supply: Locate the valve behind the toilet and turn it clockwise to shut off the water supply.
  3. Empty the toilet tank and bowl: Flush the toilet to empty the tank and bowl.
  4. Remove the old toilet: Unscrew the nuts that hold the toilet to the floor and remove them. Carefully lift the toilet off the flange and remove the wax ring from the base of the toilet.
  5. Prepare the new toilet: Install the wax ring onto the base of the new toilet.
  6. Install the new toilet: Carefully lower the new toilet onto the flange, making sure that the bolts are aligned with the holes in the base of the toilet. Once the toilet is in place, screw the nuts back onto the bolts and tighten them.
  7. Connect the water supply: Attach the water supply hose to the toilet’s fill valve and turn the water supply valve back on.
  8. Test the new toilet: Flush the toilet and check for leaks.
  9. Finish up: Use a putty knife to remove any excess wax from the base of the toilet and caulk around the base of the toilet to seal it to the floor.

This is meant as a guide only. Remember to follow all safety precautions and manufacturer instructions when replacing a toilet. If you are unsure of any steps, it is always a good idea to consult with Superior Plumbing & Drain.

Categories Superior Plumbing & Drain

Vegas Water Conservation

water conservation

Even with recent rains, Vegas water conservation is still an important issue in the valley. With the city located in a desert region, it has limited water resources. Here are some ways that individuals and businesses can increase Las Vegas water conservation:

Install water-efficient fixtures: Replace old toilets, showerheads, and faucets with new, water-efficient models. These can help reduce water consumption and lower your utility bills.

Use drought-tolerant landscaping: Planting native, drought-tolerant plants can help reduce water consumption and save money on landscaping maintenance.

Fix leaks: Even small leaks can waste significant amounts of water over time. Check your pipes and faucets regularly for leaks and have them fixed promptly.

Use water wisely: Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving, and take shorter showers. These simple actions can save significant amounts of water over time.

Capture and reuse water: Collect rainwater in barrels and use it to water plants or clean outdoor areas. You can also reuse “gray water” from sources such as washing machines and dishwashers to water plants or flush toilets.

Choose water-efficient appliances: When buying new appliances, choose models with the Energy Star label, which indicates that they are designed to be water-efficient.

Know and follow watering restrictions: The Southern Nevada Water Authority sets watering restrictions to ensure that water is used efficiently. Be sure to know and follow the watering restrictions in your area.

By taking these simple steps, individuals and businesses in Las Vegas can help conserve water and contribute to a more sustainable future for the city.

Categories Superior Plumbing & Drain

Tank or Tankless Water Heater

tankless water heater

Choosing between a tank or tankless water heater is a common question we get from customers. While they both have benefits, the tank (generally about 40 gallons in a residential home) is the main difference. Without having to store the water, a tankless water heater operates with hot water on demand. Using a heat exchanger, the water runs through and is immediately heated before coming out of the faucet.

The Benefits of Tank Water Heaters

In a tank water heater, the entire volume of water is stored in the tank and consistently heated. As water is used, the water is replaced and heated. Two of the main benefits are the up-front costs and higher tolerance for usage across multiple faucets or showers. Tank water heaters are also simpler to operate and repair, as noted from customer feedback. Although cost, is the number one reason customer prefer the tank.

The Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters

With tankless water heaters, they are generally more energy efficient due to their on-demand nature. Water is only heated as it passes through the heat exchanger. Along with saving space, the longevity of a tankless heater is another benefit. Our customers site “endless hot water” as another benefit. Even though the hot water supply is not endless, it appears that way when used by fewer outlets at one time. Customers enjoy the ease and convenience of the tankless water heater when they are installed on a wall that is out of the way as well.

Superior Plumbing & Drain

We are a full-service residential plumber based in Henderson, NV serving the entire Las Vegas valley. Our company runs a full fleet of work trucks along with employing only experienced and certified technicians. We’re on call seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day and with more than thirty years experience, there is no jog too big for our team of plumbing experts. Call for your tank or tankless water heater installation.

Categories Superior Plumbing & Drain

Winterizing Outdoor Pipes

Winterizing Outdoor Pipes

Winterizing outdoor pipes saves money in the long run.  Be sure to follow these Superior Plumbing & Drain tips:

  1. Insulate pipes with insulation sleeves, wrapping or using slip-on foam pipe insulation. Don’t leave any gaps without insulation as cold air can affect the pipe in these spaces. Plastic piping is more tolerant than old copper or steel water pipes. Winterizing outdoor pipes now helps.
  2. Inspect the exterior of the property, making sure that all visible cracks are sealed. Cold air can enter through the cracks and, once inside, it will cause your pipe to freeze. If visible cracks are noticed, seal them using caulking or spray foam to fill the voids.
  3. Maintain a heating source inside the building to protect pipes against cold.
  4. It is a good idea to maintain a faucet dripping, allowing the water to move freely and continuously, preventing it from freezing.
  5. Make sure the crawl space is properly insulated. Block all vents that lead to the outside using cardboard or wood.
  6. Don’t forget the hose bibs. Hose bibs are normally left unattended, causing them to burst in the middle of the night. Drain hose bibs and insulate with covers. Once this has been completed, deactivate bibs at the shutoff valve.
  7. Use heat tape to protect pipes from freezing. Heat tape is one of the preferred methods for winterizing plumbing, but be aware that these might bring additional hazards. The U.S. CPSC has provided safety recommendations for homeowners using heat tapes to help prevent fires.

Superior Plumbing & Drain

We’ve been servicing Las Vegas for many years and we see pipes burst all the time. Be sure to follow these steps and save yourself some money along the way.

If you need emergency plumbing services, please call us at (702) 468-9743. Our technicians are on call twenty-four, seven to serve you. For all plumbing issues, call Superior Plumbing & Drain.

Categories Superior Plumbing & Drain

Water Heaters in Las Vegas

water heaters in Las Vegas

Hot water heaters in Las Vegas can fail due to the minerals in our water, known as hard water. The hard water causes a build-up inside the water heater and plumbing systems usually causing a material failure. Plumbing failures are detected when water begins leaking from pipes or water heaters. An important step to keeping your water heater working is a regular inspection. Here are a few additional notes about water heaters in Las Vegas.

Water Heaters in Las Vegas

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 an outside water closet or the garage, is the large cylinder with pipes coming from the wall.

The water heater includes a few components that need regular checks including the tank, shut-off valve, thermostat, drain valve and anode rod.

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.

The Anode Rod

A regular check of the anode rod should be done annually. The rod is suspended from the top of the unit and drops down into the water tank. The anode rod attracts minerals in the water to help remove minerals and keep the tank from rusting. This rod is designed to disintegrate after it reaches capacity. Most homeowners or renters don’t realize the rod should be replaced annually or every two years depending on use. Calling a licensed plumber helps identify these issues.

Superior Plumbing & Drain

We are locally owned and operated. As a result, we treat every customer like family. For help with your hot water heater in Las Vegas, call Superior Plumbing & Drain today at (702) 478-9643.

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